Lvcans Pharsalia Containing The Ciuill Warres betweene Caesar and Pompey. Written In Latine Heroicall Verse by M. Annaevs Lvcanus. Translated into English verse by Sir Arthur Gorges ... Whereunto is annexed the life of the Authour, collected out of diuers Authors |
 |
 | Lvcans Pharsalia |  |
358
The ninth Booke.
The Argvment.
From Earth great Pompeys blessed spright,Vnto the heauens doth take his flight.
Cato the remnants of the host
Transports vnto the Lybian cost.
Cornelia wailing, grieues and mournes,
And Pompeys robes to ashes burnes.
Cnæus his sonne reuenge intends:
Cato his noble minde commends.
The saylers fall to mutinie,
Whom Catos speech doth qualifie.
About the Syrtes his nauie trades:
And Lybia then his hoast inuades.
Thence through the wildernesse he trends:
And vnto Hamons Temple wends.
Cæsar Pharsalia now forsakes,
And towards Nyle his iourney takes.
Where Pompeys head they him present:
The which with teares he doth lament.
Bvt yet the soule aloft aspires,
And staid not in the Pharian fires.
Such flames could not his blessed spright
Restraine from their high mounting flight.
But from the funerall it flits,
And those halfe burned members quits;
That base vnworthy tombe it leaues,
The thundring vault the same receaues.
Whereas the duskie aire confines
Next to the orbes that lowest shines;
And where the distance spacious
Is spread betweene the Moone and vs.
Where soules and demi-gods doe dwell,
Whose shining vertues did excell:
And vpright liues did them prepare,
In this low element to share.
Whereas his blessed ghost it reares
To rest in the eternall spheres.
Those come not thither that are plac't
In perfum'd tombes beguilt and chac't.
And when he was in this faire seate
With ioyous perfect light repleat;
He viewes the wandring starres in skies,
And fixed planets Markes likewise:
And sees (in value of that light)
Our brightest dayes are but as night.
And of those scornes he makes but mirth,
That they doe to his Trunke on earth.
From hence Emathias field hee eyes,
And Cæsars bloody Ensignes spies.
Then flittes hee ouer all the maine,
Where flotes the sparsed Nauies traine:
Then sits in Brutus sacred breast,
Where for this guilt reuenge doth rest.
And thence hee flittes a place to finde,
In worthy Catos dreadlesse minde.
And staid not in the Pharian fires.
Such flames could not his blessed spright
Restraine from their high mounting flight.
359
And those halfe burned members quits;
That base vnworthy tombe it leaues,
The thundring vault the same receaues.
Whereas the duskie aire confines
Next to the orbes that lowest shines;
And where the distance spacious
Is spread betweene the Moone and vs.
Where soules and demi-gods doe dwell,
Whose shining vertues did excell:
And vpright liues did them prepare,
In this low element to share.
Whereas his blessed ghost it reares
To rest in the eternall spheres.
Those come not thither that are plac't
In perfum'd tombes beguilt and chac't.
And when he was in this faire seate
With ioyous perfect light repleat;
He viewes the wandring starres in skies,
And fixed planets Markes likewise:
And sees (in value of that light)
Our brightest dayes are but as night.
And of those scornes he makes but mirth,
That they doe to his Trunke on earth.
From hence Emathias field hee eyes,
And Cæsars bloody Ensignes spies.
Then flittes hee ouer all the maine,
Where flotes the sparsed Nauies traine:
Then sits in Brutus sacred breast,
Where for this guilt reuenge doth rest.
And thence hee flittes a place to finde,
In worthy Catos dreadlesse minde.
He (whilst the strife in doubt depended,
And that the question was not ended,
Whom this sterne ciuill warre would call
To bee the supreame Lord of all)
Did Pompey hate; although his part
He tooke, as fellow in this Mart;
Led thereto for his Countries cause,
And to obserue the Senates Lawes.
But when Pharsalias field was fought,
Then Pompeys course did rule his thought:
And into his protection takes
His countrey, that a guider lacks:
And to their fearefull hands affords
Weapons againe, that left their swords.
But neither seeking soueraigntie,
Nor that he fear'd seruilitie,
Did he new ciuill warres erect,
It was not for his owne respect,
But (after Pompey lost his life)
For libertie was all their strife.
And (lest that Cæsar might inuest
Himselfe, of all the troopes distrest
By his surprises suddenly,
After his gained victorie.
They being so disperst in rout
Through all the countrey round about)
He to Corcyra did resort,
And thither to a secret port,
He all the scattered fragments led,
That from Emathias flaughter fled.
A thousand ships he fill'd with these,
And thence he put vnto the seas.
And that the question was not ended,
Whom this sterne ciuill warre would call
To bee the supreame Lord of all)
Did Pompey hate; although his part
He tooke, as fellow in this Mart;
Led thereto for his Countries cause,
And to obserue the Senates Lawes.
360
Then Pompeys course did rule his thought:
And into his protection takes
His countrey, that a guider lacks:
And to their fearefull hands affords
Weapons againe, that left their swords.
But neither seeking soueraigntie,
Nor that he fear'd seruilitie,
Did he new ciuill warres erect,
It was not for his owne respect,
But (after Pompey lost his life)
For libertie was all their strife.
And (lest that Cæsar might inuest
Himselfe, of all the troopes distrest
By his surprises suddenly,
After his gained victorie.
They being so disperst in rout
Through all the countrey round about)
He to Corcyra did resort,
And thither to a secret port,
He all the scattered fragments led,
That from Emathias flaughter fled.
A thousand ships he fill'd with these,
And thence he put vnto the seas.
Who would haue thought the scattred traines
That of Pharsalias wracke remaines,
Suffisd so many ships to fill?
Or that the Seas were stuffed still
With such a fleet, prepar'd for Mart,
Belonging to the conquered part,
Hence he to Malean Doris goes,
And vnto Tenerus, that showes
The way to hell, and therewithall,
On the Cytherean cost doth fall.
And so alongst he leaueth Creete,
The Northwind driuing on his fleete.
And (vrged by the shrinking tides)
Dictæan shores he ouer slides.
Thence to Phycunta he resorts,
That held his nauie from their ports.
But puts that Towne to great distresse,
And sackes it, that deseru'd no lesse.
Thence did a fitting winde procure
Him to thy shore, O Palinure;
For thou dost not alone retaine
Thy monuments on Latium maine:
But Lybia's quiet ports do tell,
They pleas'd the Troian Pilot well.
Then they aloofe a fleet descride,
Which did with doubts their minds diuide;
Whether it did consist of foes,
Or of the fellowes of their woes.
The victors great celerity
Still held them in perplexity:
And what ships on the seas they see,
They still thought Cæsar there to bee.
But those poore hulles alas did beare
Nothing, but wofull plaints and feare:
Yea such as mournfull sobbes might wrest
From Stoicke Cato's hardned breast.
That of Pharsalias wracke remaines,
Suffisd so many ships to fill?
Or that the Seas were stuffed still
With such a fleet, prepar'd for Mart,
Belonging to the conquered part,
Hence he to Malean Doris goes,
And vnto Tenerus, that showes
The way to hell, and therewithall,
On the Cytherean cost doth fall.
And so alongst he leaueth Creete,
The Northwind driuing on his fleete.
And (vrged by the shrinking tides)
Dictæan shores he ouer slides.
Thence to Phycunta he resorts,
That held his nauie from their ports.
361
And sackes it, that deseru'd no lesse.
Thence did a fitting winde procure
Him to thy shore, O Palinure;
For thou dost not alone retaine
Thy monuments on Latium maine:
But Lybia's quiet ports do tell,
They pleas'd the Troian Pilot well.
Then they aloofe a fleet descride,
Which did with doubts their minds diuide;
Whether it did consist of foes,
Or of the fellowes of their woes.
The victors great celerity
Still held them in perplexity:
And what ships on the seas they see,
They still thought Cæsar there to bee.
But those poore hulles alas did beare
Nothing, but wofull plaints and feare:
Yea such as mournfull sobbes might wrest
From Stoicke Cato's hardned breast.
For after that (with vaine request)
Cornelia had her Pilots prest,
And son-in-law (that would away)
A longer time neere Nyle to stay;
Because her husbands Corpes shee thought
Might to the weltring waues bee brought
By surges of the raging maine,
That on the Pharean shore did straine.
For proofe whereof shee said withall,
His corpes had no right buriall.
Of Fortune then (quoth shee) was I
So worthlesse that thou shouldst deny
Mee meanes, and leaue for to attend
My husband at his funerall end?
And on the cold limbes of my spouse
To stretch my armes with latest vowes?
And my torne lockes with him to burne,
And place those ashes in an vrne
That now the waues doe tosse and turne.
And that I might powre floods of teares
Into those wounds his body beares?
And on my garments cast at once
The hot burnt cinders of his bones?
And whatsoeuer lawfull were
From out his funerall to beare,
With my hands might be gathered,
In Temples of the Gods to spread?
But out alas his funerall
No flaming honour had at all;
Perhaps some hand of Pharos cost
Perform'd that act, griefe to his ghost.
O Crassian cinders yee were blest,
That still vncouered doe rest!
For seeing Pompey had that flame,
The Gods repute it greater blame.
Shall my hard destiny still finde
Such dismall woes to vex my minde?
Shall neuer I the fortune haue
To lay my husbands in a graue?
Nor present be when as they dye,
To fill their vrnes with flowing eye?
But what need I seeke them a graue,
Or instruments (O griefe) to craue?
Vaine woman, doth not Pompey rest
Intombed in thy faithfull breast?
Doth not his image fixt remaine
In thy grieu'd soule, and euery vaine?
Let after ages then (for me)
Seeke where his cinders scattred be.
Yet now me seemes I see his fire
With a malignant flame aspire.
And something dazles in mine eyes,
That from the Pharian shore doth rise,
That to thee (Pompey) doth pertaine,
And now that flame is out againe;
And yeelds a smoake that Pompey beares
In vapours to the Easterne spheres.
Whilst spitefull windes do me betray,
And beares our sailes another way.
No lands by Pompey conquered,
Nor where his triumphes Carres were led
Alongst the streetes (with glorious bayes)
To the high Capitolean wayes,
More deere to me (since reft my breast)
Then Pharian sands where he doth rest.
Tis Pompey I would haue so faine,
Whom Nylus doth from me detaine.
And that makes me not loath to stay
Longer, within this wicked bay.
The heynous fact that I deplore,
Is that, that now adornes this shore.
If euer I did Pompey loue,
I would not from this coast remoue.
Cornelia had her Pilots prest,
And son-in-law (that would away)
A longer time neere Nyle to stay;
Because her husbands Corpes shee thought
Might to the weltring waues bee brought
By surges of the raging maine,
That on the Pharean shore did straine.
For proofe whereof shee said withall,
His corpes had no right buriall.
Of Fortune then (quoth shee) was I
So worthlesse that thou shouldst deny
Mee meanes, and leaue for to attend
My husband at his funerall end?
And on the cold limbes of my spouse
To stretch my armes with latest vowes?
And my torne lockes with him to burne,
And place those ashes in an vrne
That now the waues doe tosse and turne.
And that I might powre floods of teares
362
And on my garments cast at once
The hot burnt cinders of his bones?
And whatsoeuer lawfull were
From out his funerall to beare,
With my hands might be gathered,
In Temples of the Gods to spread?
But out alas his funerall
No flaming honour had at all;
Perhaps some hand of Pharos cost
Perform'd that act, griefe to his ghost.
O Crassian cinders yee were blest,
That still vncouered doe rest!
For seeing Pompey had that flame,
The Gods repute it greater blame.
Shall my hard destiny still finde
Such dismall woes to vex my minde?
Shall neuer I the fortune haue
To lay my husbands in a graue?
Nor present be when as they dye,
To fill their vrnes with flowing eye?
But what need I seeke them a graue,
Or instruments (O griefe) to craue?
Vaine woman, doth not Pompey rest
Intombed in thy faithfull breast?
Doth not his image fixt remaine
In thy grieu'd soule, and euery vaine?
Let after ages then (for me)
Seeke where his cinders scattred be.
Yet now me seemes I see his fire
With a malignant flame aspire.
And something dazles in mine eyes,
That from the Pharian shore doth rise,
That to thee (Pompey) doth pertaine,
And now that flame is out againe;
And yeelds a smoake that Pompey beares
In vapours to the Easterne spheres.
Whilst spitefull windes do me betray,
And beares our sailes another way.
No lands by Pompey conquered,
363
Alongst the streetes (with glorious bayes)
To the high Capitolean wayes,
More deere to me (since reft my breast)
Then Pharian sands where he doth rest.
Tis Pompey I would haue so faine,
Whom Nylus doth from me detaine.
And that makes me not loath to stay
Longer, within this wicked bay.
The heynous fact that I deplore,
Is that, that now adornes this shore.
If euer I did Pompey loue,
I would not from this coast remoue.
Do thou (O Sextus) warres pursue,
And ouer all the world renew
The Ensignes of thy famous sire:
Such was his will and his desire,
That he in charge to me did giue;
Which words within my soule still liue,
Pronounced with his latest breath,
The houre that queld me with his death.
My sonnes, see that you vndergoe
This ciuill warre against our foe,
Whilst any of our name or birth
Remaines aliue vpon the earth,
Admit not Cæsars tyranny,
Moue states that stand for liberty,
And mighty Townes that doe the same,
And him resist with glorious fame.
These parts to you I recommend:
These Armes I would you should entend.
Which of my sonnes the seas likes best,
Shall finde a Nauy ready prest.
My heire likewise (in following Mart)
Shall Nations finde to take his part.
Onely remember that you beare
True noble mindes deuoyd of feare.
And know tis fit that you obay
Onely to Cato, if he sway
For liberty, and hold that way.
O Pompey! thus doe I discarge
Thy trust, and tell thy will at large.
But thy deceits haue done me wrong,
Forsaken thus, I liue too long:
And yet will not with perfidy
Forbeare thy words to testifie.
But now deere spouse, where so thou be,
I am resolu'd to follow thee
To Chaos vast, and vnto hell
(If such there bee, as old sawes tell)
But yet to me it is vnsure
How long this life of mine shall dure.
And therefore anguish shall preuent
My liuing soule, from my soule sent.
And since to death it could not flye,
When (Pompey) it thy wounds did eye,
With griefe and wailings shee shall dye.
In bitter teares she shall be drownd,
The sword shall not our dayes confound,
No strangling halter will I trye,
Nor head-long breake-necke from an hye:
For me twere base to want the might
By sorrowes straine to leaue this light.
And ouer all the world renew
The Ensignes of thy famous sire:
Such was his will and his desire,
That he in charge to me did giue;
Which words within my soule still liue,
Pronounced with his latest breath,
The houre that queld me with his death.
My sonnes, see that you vndergoe
This ciuill warre against our foe,
Whilst any of our name or birth
Remaines aliue vpon the earth,
Admit not Cæsars tyranny,
Moue states that stand for liberty,
And mighty Townes that doe the same,
And him resist with glorious fame.
These parts to you I recommend:
These Armes I would you should entend.
Which of my sonnes the seas likes best,
Shall finde a Nauy ready prest.
My heire likewise (in following Mart)
Shall Nations finde to take his part.
Onely remember that you beare
True noble mindes deuoyd of feare.
And know tis fit that you obay
Onely to Cato, if he sway
For liberty, and hold that way.
364
Thy trust, and tell thy will at large.
But thy deceits haue done me wrong,
Forsaken thus, I liue too long:
And yet will not with perfidy
Forbeare thy words to testifie.
But now deere spouse, where so thou be,
I am resolu'd to follow thee
To Chaos vast, and vnto hell
(If such there bee, as old sawes tell)
But yet to me it is vnsure
How long this life of mine shall dure.
And therefore anguish shall preuent
My liuing soule, from my soule sent.
And since to death it could not flye,
When (Pompey) it thy wounds did eye,
With griefe and wailings shee shall dye.
In bitter teares she shall be drownd,
The sword shall not our dayes confound,
No strangling halter will I trye,
Nor head-long breake-necke from an hye:
For me twere base to want the might
By sorrowes straine to leaue this light.
So hauing said, her noble head
With a blacke vaile she ouer-spred:
And then retires her to the darke
In hollow cauernes of the barke.
And there vnto her selfe enioyes
Her restlesse teares, and griefes annoyes;
And onely (in her husbands place)
Doth woes and wofull plaints embrace.
Shee scornes the raging seas and clouds,
And Eurus whistling in the shrowds,
And cries that Mariners doe make,
When they with dreadfull dangers quake.
To theirs she makes contrary vowes:
Resolu'd to dye, she stormes allowes.
Her ship first seiz'd the Cyprus shores,
Whereas the thundring billowes rores.
And then to sea they put anew,
With Easterne winde that calmer blew.
And lighted on the Lybicke Land,
Where that time Cato's Campe did stand.
Then wofull Cnæus did espy
His countrey fellowes, proaching nye
The Affricke coast, and as those mindes
That dread afflicts, presages findes;
When he his brother Sextus saw,
Neere to the seas strand he doth draw,
And head-long wades into the maine.
Deere brother now to me explaine
Where is our Sire, and in what plight
Stands our affaires? are we of might
As yet, or else abandon'd quite?
Hath Pompey Romes last fortune tride?
So said, his brother thus replide.
With a blacke vaile she ouer-spred:
And then retires her to the darke
In hollow cauernes of the barke.
And there vnto her selfe enioyes
Her restlesse teares, and griefes annoyes;
And onely (in her husbands place)
Doth woes and wofull plaints embrace.
Shee scornes the raging seas and clouds,
And Eurus whistling in the shrowds,
And cries that Mariners doe make,
When they with dreadfull dangers quake.
To theirs she makes contrary vowes:
Resolu'd to dye, she stormes allowes.
Her ship first seiz'd the Cyprus shores,
Whereas the thundring billowes rores.
And then to sea they put anew,
365
And lighted on the Lybicke Land,
Where that time Cato's Campe did stand.
Then wofull Cnæus did espy
His countrey fellowes, proaching nye
The Affricke coast, and as those mindes
That dread afflicts, presages findes;
When he his brother Sextus saw,
Neere to the seas strand he doth draw,
And head-long wades into the maine.
Deere brother now to me explaine
Where is our Sire, and in what plight
Stands our affaires? are we of might
As yet, or else abandon'd quite?
Hath Pompey Romes last fortune tride?
So said, his brother thus replide.
O happy thou whom Fortune guided
To other coasts, from vs diuided!
Thou onely miseries shalt heare,
Whereof mine eyes the witnesse were
When on the sword our father dide,
Though Cæsars hand he hath not tride.
The Author of his funerall
Deserues by ruines rage to fall.
With that vile King, that in his hands
Doth hold the fruitfull Nylus lands.
He hop't some due respects to finde
Of Hospitatious friendly kinde;
For many fauours of his loue
That this Kings ancestors did proue.
But (for requitall of that Realme)
As sacrifice his blood they streame.
Whilst I alas beheld (with paine)
Our noble Father by them slaine.
Whereas I thought that Pharian King
Durst not attempt so foule a thing.
But did presume that Nylus land
Would loyally vnto him stand.
But neither me, the old mans wounds,
Nor his shed bloud so much confounds,
As when we saw his head forlorne,
Throughout the traytors Citty borne,
Fixt on a lofty pole in scorne.
And now tis kept (by fames report)
The wicked victors eyes to sport.
And so the tyrant feedes his minde
For this foule fact high grace to finde.
But whether that the Pharian dogges,
The rauenous foules, or filthy hogges,
Haue with the body fild their maw?
Or whether that the fire we saw
To cinders did the same conuart,
I doe not know? but for my part
I say, what euer fatall scorne
Those worthy limbes away haue borne;
The blame vnto the Gods I giue,
But his kept head me most doth grieue.
When Cnæus heard this heauy newes,
He did not then his griefes infuse
With childish teares, nor idle plaint,
But with iust piety attaint
Inrag'd, thus speakes with words not faint.
To other coasts, from vs diuided!
Thou onely miseries shalt heare,
Whereof mine eyes the witnesse were
When on the sword our father dide,
Though Cæsars hand he hath not tride.
The Author of his funerall
Deserues by ruines rage to fall.
With that vile King, that in his hands
Doth hold the fruitfull Nylus lands.
He hop't some due respects to finde
Of Hospitatious friendly kinde;
For many fauours of his loue
That this Kings ancestors did proue.
But (for requitall of that Realme)
As sacrifice his blood they streame.
Whilst I alas beheld (with paine)
Our noble Father by them slaine.
Whereas I thought that Pharian King
Durst not attempt so foule a thing.
But did presume that Nylus land
Would loyally vnto him stand.
But neither me, the old mans wounds,
Nor his shed bloud so much confounds,
366
Throughout the traytors Citty borne,
Fixt on a lofty pole in scorne.
And now tis kept (by fames report)
The wicked victors eyes to sport.
And so the tyrant feedes his minde
For this foule fact high grace to finde.
But whether that the Pharian dogges,
The rauenous foules, or filthy hogges,
Haue with the body fild their maw?
Or whether that the fire we saw
To cinders did the same conuart,
I doe not know? but for my part
I say, what euer fatall scorne
Those worthy limbes away haue borne;
The blame vnto the Gods I giue,
But his kept head me most doth grieue.
When Cnæus heard this heauy newes,
He did not then his griefes infuse
With childish teares, nor idle plaint,
But with iust piety attaint
Inrag'd, thus speakes with words not faint.
Yee mariners, with haste lay hands
To draw your ships from these dry sands,
And with your oares, (without a saile)
Against the aduerse windes preuaile.
Braue leaders now come follow me,
No ciuill warre can iuster be;
Nor so great praise as to interre
Their naked ghosts, that wandring erre.
This tyrant boyes blood must suffise
Great Pompeys ghost for sacrifice.
Shall I his Pelean Towres not drowne,
And all those monuments throw downe,
That ouer Alexander stands
In Mareotis foggy sands?
And raze to ground the Pyramis,
Their monument of Amasis?
And make all those their buried Kings
To swim in midst of Nylus springs?
They all shall want and naked lye,
(Pompey) thy Tombe to edifie.
Isis shall now bee rap't with fire,
Whose God-head Nations do admire.
And their Osyris (clad in vaile
Of linnen) common slaues shall traile.
And Apis, their Bull-god, I'le burne
A sacrifice to Pompeys vrne.
Vnder his head these Gods shall lye
Wherewith the funerall shall frye.
These wrackes that wretched land shall taste:
Their fruitfull fields I will lay waste,
None left to plow, to digge or plant,
For Nylus to relieue their want.
None shall subsist, nor her gifts take,
Depopulate I will her make.
Thou onely Pompey, and thy graue,
That Kingdome to thy selfe shalt haue,
When all their Gods away are chac't.
Thus said, the Nauy then in hast
Prepares it selfe vnto the seas;
But Cato did the wrath appease
Of this braue youth; yet in the end
His noble spirit did commend.
To draw your ships from these dry sands,
And with your oares, (without a saile)
Against the aduerse windes preuaile.
Braue leaders now come follow me,
No ciuill warre can iuster be;
Nor so great praise as to interre
Their naked ghosts, that wandring erre.
This tyrant boyes blood must suffise
Great Pompeys ghost for sacrifice.
Shall I his Pelean Towres not drowne,
And all those monuments throw downe,
That ouer Alexander stands
In Mareotis foggy sands?
And raze to ground the Pyramis,
Their monument of Amasis?
And make all those their buried Kings
To swim in midst of Nylus springs?
367
(Pompey) thy Tombe to edifie.
Isis shall now bee rap't with fire,
Whose God-head Nations do admire.
And their Osyris (clad in vaile
Of linnen) common slaues shall traile.
And Apis, their Bull-god, I'le burne
A sacrifice to Pompeys vrne.
Vnder his head these Gods shall lye
Wherewith the funerall shall frye.
These wrackes that wretched land shall taste:
Their fruitfull fields I will lay waste,
None left to plow, to digge or plant,
For Nylus to relieue their want.
None shall subsist, nor her gifts take,
Depopulate I will her make.
Thou onely Pompey, and thy graue,
That Kingdome to thy selfe shalt haue,
When all their Gods away are chac't.
Thus said, the Nauy then in hast
Prepares it selfe vnto the seas;
But Cato did the wrath appease
Of this braue youth; yet in the end
His noble spirit did commend.
Meane while through all the cost is spred
The bruit of Pompey murdered.
And therewithall a grieuous shout
Of cries, did flye the aire about.
No griefe did like example show:
For neuer any age did know
The people to such plaints to fall,
For any great mans death at all.
But more, for as Cornelia went
Out of her ship to make discent
Her visage worne, and wast with teares,
And dangling tresse about her eares,
A doubled shout the people reares.
No sooner was she set a land,
Whereas the shore was next at hand:
But Pompeys robes she gets together,
His Ensignes, and else whatsoeuer
Of Armes, or like abiliments,
And all such glorious ornaments
(Richly imbrodered all with gold)
As he was wont to weare of old.
Then (three times casting vp her eyes
Vnto the heauens, and starry skies)
All this together she did cast
Into a funerall fire at last.
These cinders she (poore soule) did make
The which she kept for Pompeys sake,
Whereby the rest example take.
For presently, throughout the shore,
Of sacred fires were made huge store:
Which they vnto those ghosts did yeeld
Late slaine in the Pharsalian field.
Such flames doe the Apulians raise
When as the frosty winter daies
Their fields of greene grasse hath depriu'd;
And with such heate is new reuiu'd.
So the Gargarians vse their grounds.
So Vulturs vales with corne abounds.
And luke-warme Matyns vse like slight,
With boxen bushes flaming bright.
The bruit of Pompey murdered.
And therewithall a grieuous shout
Of cries, did flye the aire about.
No griefe did like example show:
For neuer any age did know
The people to such plaints to fall,
For any great mans death at all.
But more, for as Cornelia went
Out of her ship to make discent
Her visage worne, and wast with teares,
And dangling tresse about her eares,
A doubled shout the people reares.
No sooner was she set a land,
Whereas the shore was next at hand:
But Pompeys robes she gets together,
368
Of Armes, or like abiliments,
And all such glorious ornaments
(Richly imbrodered all with gold)
As he was wont to weare of old.
Then (three times casting vp her eyes
Vnto the heauens, and starry skies)
All this together she did cast
Into a funerall fire at last.
These cinders she (poore soule) did make
The which she kept for Pompeys sake,
Whereby the rest example take.
For presently, throughout the shore,
Of sacred fires were made huge store:
Which they vnto those ghosts did yeeld
Late slaine in the Pharsalian field.
Such flames doe the Apulians raise
When as the frosty winter daies
Their fields of greene grasse hath depriu'd;
And with such heate is new reuiu'd.
So the Gargarians vse their grounds.
So Vulturs vales with corne abounds.
And luke-warme Matyns vse like slight,
With boxen bushes flaming bright.
Nothing was done in all the host
More gratefull vnto Pompeys ghost,
(Although for him the heauens they blame,
And to the Gods vpbraid his name)
Then were the words Cato exprest,
Proceeding from a spotlesse brest.
A Citizen (quoth he) is queld,
That others heretofore exceld
For skill in scanning of the lawes;
But in this age for Iustice cause
He profited the Roman state:
His reuerence chased dire debate.
Freedome he aw'd not with his might,
But euermore subscrib'd to right.
In priuate sort he actions swayd,
Although the people him obay'd.
And though the Senate hee directed,
Yet to their power himselfe subiected:
By armed force hee nought effected.
What to obtaine his heart was bent,
To bee deny'd he was content.
Great wealth and honor's he possest;
But did the state with more invest.
Though to his sword they gaue renowne,
Yet knew hee when to lay it downe.
Hee Armes beyond the Gowne approu'd,
Yet na'thlesse Armed peace hee lou'd.
Hee Armies willingly receaues,
And all as willingly them leaues.
A ciuill house from ryot free,
No fortunes gain'd by briberie.
With forraine Nations hee had fame,
Who reu'renced his noble name.
And in like grace at home hee stood,
For seruice to his Countries good.
The constant course of liberty
Was subiect to seruility,
When they receiu'd in Rome againe
The Marian and the Syllan traine.
So, seeing Pompey is bereft
No shew of freedome now is left.
Men doe not blush at tyranny:
No colour now of Empery:
None weigh the Senates Maiesty.
O happy Pompey to be dead
As soone as thou wert conquered!
And that the Pharian guilt thee brought
That sword, which else thou must haue sought
If not thou mightst haue liu'd perchance
Vnder proud Cæsars gouernance.
To dare to dye is high grace gain'd,
And next to that, to be constrain'd.
But if that Fortune so betide,
We must be thralles to tyrants pride.
Then Fortune grant, that Iuba bee
Another Ptolomey to mee.
What need I feare my foe to serue,
When death can me from that preserue?
More gratefull vnto Pompeys ghost,
(Although for him the heauens they blame,
And to the Gods vpbraid his name)
Then were the words Cato exprest,
Proceeding from a spotlesse brest.
A Citizen (quoth he) is queld,
That others heretofore exceld
For skill in scanning of the lawes;
But in this age for Iustice cause
He profited the Roman state:
His reuerence chased dire debate.
Freedome he aw'd not with his might,
But euermore subscrib'd to right.
In priuate sort he actions swayd,
Although the people him obay'd.
369
Yet to their power himselfe subiected:
By armed force hee nought effected.
What to obtaine his heart was bent,
To bee deny'd he was content.
Great wealth and honor's he possest;
But did the state with more invest.
Though to his sword they gaue renowne,
Yet knew hee when to lay it downe.
Hee Armes beyond the Gowne approu'd,
Yet na'thlesse Armed peace hee lou'd.
Hee Armies willingly receaues,
And all as willingly them leaues.
A ciuill house from ryot free,
No fortunes gain'd by briberie.
With forraine Nations hee had fame,
Who reu'renced his noble name.
And in like grace at home hee stood,
For seruice to his Countries good.
The constant course of liberty
Was subiect to seruility,
When they receiu'd in Rome againe
The Marian and the Syllan traine.
So, seeing Pompey is bereft
No shew of freedome now is left.
Men doe not blush at tyranny:
No colour now of Empery:
None weigh the Senates Maiesty.
O happy Pompey to be dead
As soone as thou wert conquered!
And that the Pharian guilt thee brought
That sword, which else thou must haue sought
If not thou mightst haue liu'd perchance
Vnder proud Cæsars gouernance.
To dare to dye is high grace gain'd,
And next to that, to be constrain'd.
But if that Fortune so betide,
We must be thralles to tyrants pride.
Then Fortune grant, that Iuba bee
Another Ptolomey to mee.
370
When death can me from that preserue?
These words did greater glory raise
In all mens eares to Pompeys praise,
Then if the Theaters had sounded
With plaudits, ecchos that rebounded:
Whereby the honor of his end
Did to his gentle soule ascend.
But now the people mutter rumors,
And fall into discordant humors.
For warres and Armes they doe detest:
Since Pompey in his graue did rest,
And Tarchon then did vndertake
Catos new Ensignes to forsake.
He with the shipping suddenly
That vtmost rode, away did flye:
Whom Cato thus did vilefie.
O greedy Cilix most vntrue,
Wilt thou the seas go scoure anew,
Now Pompey is by fortune slaine?
Must thou turne Pirate once againe?
Then of them all he takes a view,
That mutin'd in this rogish crew:
Mongst whom one lad did courage take,
And to the chiefetaine boldly spake.
In all mens eares to Pompeys praise,
Then if the Theaters had sounded
With plaudits, ecchos that rebounded:
Whereby the honor of his end
Did to his gentle soule ascend.
But now the people mutter rumors,
And fall into discordant humors.
For warres and Armes they doe detest:
Since Pompey in his graue did rest,
And Tarchon then did vndertake
Catos new Ensignes to forsake.
He with the shipping suddenly
That vtmost rode, away did flye:
Whom Cato thus did vilefie.
O greedy Cilix most vntrue,
Wilt thou the seas go scoure anew,
Now Pompey is by fortune slaine?
Must thou turne Pirate once againe?
Then of them all he takes a view,
That mutin'd in this rogish crew:
Mongst whom one lad did courage take,
And to the chiefetaine boldly spake.
Cato (quoth he) discharge vs now,
Our faith to Pompey we did vow:
For his sake we did take vp Armes,
And not for loue of ciuill harmes.
In his behalfe we did our parts;
But he is dead that held our hearts.
He whom the world lou'd more then peace,
With whom our cause of warre doth cease.
Permit vs now to leaue to roame
To see our houshold Gods at home,
That we so long time haue forborne,
And our sweet children thus forlorne.
For what date shall this warre vs yeeld,
If that Pharsalias bloody field,
Nor Pompes death can giue it end,
Our liues in endlesse toyle we spend.
Let vs goe quiet to our graue:
Let age his fitting funerall haue.
For ciuill warres can scarce affoord
A Sepulcher to any Lord.
We conquerd men are not to fight
Against the great Barbarian might.
Fortune doth not our state prouoke
With Scithian or Armenian yoke.
I serue a gowned Citizen,
Vnder his law free Denizen.
Who Pompey liuing seconded,
To me is first, now Pompeys dead.
To Pompeys sacred worthy spright
I will performe all reuerend right;
But to his soueraigne power I yeeld,
That conquerd at Pharsalias field.
Thou Pompey, my sole Captaine wert,
I followed onely thee in Mart.
Now will I follow Destinie:
And yet, to finde prosperity,
I neither may, nor will I hope:
Since Cæsars fortune swayes the scope.
His conquest quaild Æmathian swords,
Who to vs captiues helpe affoords.
He onely in the world subsists,
That will and may (euen as he lists.)
Rue on poore vanquisht men in griefe,
And vnto wretches yeeld reliefe.
All hope in ciuill warre is vaine,
Since Ægypts sword hath Pompey slaine.
Who liuing, carried vs with loue;
But if the publique cause do moue
Thee Cato, and thy Countries stay;
Let vs these ensignes then obay,
That Roman Consull doth display.
So said, his ship he doth ascend,
And swarmes of youths do him attend.
Thus Romes affaires did seeme to end.
For all, that loued seruile bands
Did mutine there vpon the sands.
When Cato (from his sacred breast)
In these words his free minde exprest.
Our faith to Pompey we did vow:
For his sake we did take vp Armes,
And not for loue of ciuill harmes.
In his behalfe we did our parts;
But he is dead that held our hearts.
He whom the world lou'd more then peace,
With whom our cause of warre doth cease.
Permit vs now to leaue to roame
To see our houshold Gods at home,
That we so long time haue forborne,
And our sweet children thus forlorne.
For what date shall this warre vs yeeld,
If that Pharsalias bloody field,
Nor Pompes death can giue it end,
Our liues in endlesse toyle we spend.
371
Let age his fitting funerall haue.
For ciuill warres can scarce affoord
A Sepulcher to any Lord.
We conquerd men are not to fight
Against the great Barbarian might.
Fortune doth not our state prouoke
With Scithian or Armenian yoke.
I serue a gowned Citizen,
Vnder his law free Denizen.
Who Pompey liuing seconded,
To me is first, now Pompeys dead.
To Pompeys sacred worthy spright
I will performe all reuerend right;
But to his soueraigne power I yeeld,
That conquerd at Pharsalias field.
Thou Pompey, my sole Captaine wert,
I followed onely thee in Mart.
Now will I follow Destinie:
And yet, to finde prosperity,
I neither may, nor will I hope:
Since Cæsars fortune swayes the scope.
His conquest quaild Æmathian swords,
Who to vs captiues helpe affoords.
He onely in the world subsists,
That will and may (euen as he lists.)
Rue on poore vanquisht men in griefe,
And vnto wretches yeeld reliefe.
All hope in ciuill warre is vaine,
Since Ægypts sword hath Pompey slaine.
Who liuing, carried vs with loue;
But if the publique cause do moue
Thee Cato, and thy Countries stay;
Let vs these ensignes then obay,
That Roman Consull doth display.
So said, his ship he doth ascend,
And swarmes of youths do him attend.
Thus Romes affaires did seeme to end.
For all, that loued seruile bands
Did mutine there vpon the sands.
372
In these words his free minde exprest.
It seemes you then indiffrent were,
On whether side you Armes did beare.
You were at first for Pompeys part,
For Rome you did not wage your mart.
And so you doe desire it still,
To haue one Lord to rule at will.
You did not tyranny oppose:
You car'd not your free state to lose.
The Senate you refuse to serue;
Neither recke you well to deserue
Of any side to end this strife,
But would in Idle spend your life.
Now safer tis our cause to gaine,
You basely would the warres refraine.
And now (devoyd of true respect)
Your owne free neckes to yokes subiect)
And cannot liue without a King
Not now, when as a worthier thing
Calles men to hazard of the warre;
Your swords and persons you debar
For Raman freedome to be vsd,
Which Pompey mought perchance refusd,
And for himselfe your bloods abusd.
Fortune almost hath tyrants reft,
Of three Lords now but one is left.
The Parthian bow, and Nylus shore
For our free lawes haue done the more.
Goe you degenerate, exceed
The Ptolemeian guift and deed.
Who else will thinke that euer you
In these warres did your hands embrue?
But rather prone to turne your backes,
And first that fled Emathias wrackes.
Go safe, for you doe well deserue
That Cæsar should your liues preserue.
Hee needs must take of you remorse,
Subdued nor by siege nor force.
O sercile race vnworthy most!
Now (that you haue one Tirant lost)
His successor you will accost.
You should no greater grace aspire,
Then life and pardon for your hire.
And Pompeys wofull wife conuay
Into your ships, beare her away.
(Metellus child) a noble pray.
And liuing sonnes of Pompey breed.
Striue Egypts present to exceed,
Then take my head with you likewise,
So odious to the tyrants eyes.
He shall no meane reward receaue,
That Catos head will so bequeaue.
And know you all tis worth your paine,
To follow me my head to gaine.
Proceed you therefore and be bold,
To purchase grace let blood be sold.
Barely to run away were base.
So said, his words then tooke such place,
That all the Pirats (in such sort)
Brought backe the ships into the port,
From out the Seas, as Bees do vse,
When they the waxen hiue refuse.
Where they haue made their honny combes,
And ranging leaue their little homes.
Not mindfull now in swarmes to flie:
But each one his owne way doth hie.
Not setled yet to sucke and smell
The bitter Thyme, they loue so well.
When suddenly the tingling sounds
Of Phrygian kettles them confounds
With maze, they stop their sudden flight:
And backe returning, all do light
Vpon their hiues, where with their skill
Their flowring labours they distill,
And combes with blessed honny fill.
At whose returne the clownish royle
Is glad to see them in his soyle:
And on Hyblean grasse to swarme;
The treasure of his little farme.
Euen so did Catos powerfull words,
Vnto iust warre draw on their swords.
And their loose minds, whom pleasure feeds,
He then recals to martiall deeds,
And patiently warres brunt to beare
With industrie and free from feare.
On whether side you Armes did beare.
You were at first for Pompeys part,
For Rome you did not wage your mart.
And so you doe desire it still,
To haue one Lord to rule at will.
You did not tyranny oppose:
You car'd not your free state to lose.
The Senate you refuse to serue;
Neither recke you well to deserue
Of any side to end this strife,
But would in Idle spend your life.
Now safer tis our cause to gaine,
You basely would the warres refraine.
And now (devoyd of true respect)
Your owne free neckes to yokes subiect)
And cannot liue without a King
Not now, when as a worthier thing
Calles men to hazard of the warre;
Your swords and persons you debar
For Raman freedome to be vsd,
Which Pompey mought perchance refusd,
And for himselfe your bloods abusd.
Fortune almost hath tyrants reft,
Of three Lords now but one is left.
The Parthian bow, and Nylus shore
For our free lawes haue done the more.
Goe you degenerate, exceed
The Ptolemeian guift and deed.
Who else will thinke that euer you
In these warres did your hands embrue?
But rather prone to turne your backes,
And first that fled Emathias wrackes.
Go safe, for you doe well deserue
That Cæsar should your liues preserue.
Hee needs must take of you remorse,
Subdued nor by siege nor force.
O sercile race vnworthy most!
373
His successor you will accost.
You should no greater grace aspire,
Then life and pardon for your hire.
And Pompeys wofull wife conuay
Into your ships, beare her away.
(Metellus child) a noble pray.
And liuing sonnes of Pompey breed.
Striue Egypts present to exceed,
Then take my head with you likewise,
So odious to the tyrants eyes.
He shall no meane reward receaue,
That Catos head will so bequeaue.
And know you all tis worth your paine,
To follow me my head to gaine.
Proceed you therefore and be bold,
To purchase grace let blood be sold.
Barely to run away were base.
So said, his words then tooke such place,
That all the Pirats (in such sort)
Brought backe the ships into the port,
From out the Seas, as Bees do vse,
When they the waxen hiue refuse.
Where they haue made their honny combes,
And ranging leaue their little homes.
Not mindfull now in swarmes to flie:
But each one his owne way doth hie.
Not setled yet to sucke and smell
The bitter Thyme, they loue so well.
When suddenly the tingling sounds
Of Phrygian kettles them confounds
With maze, they stop their sudden flight:
And backe returning, all do light
Vpon their hiues, where with their skill
Their flowring labours they distill,
And combes with blessed honny fill.
At whose returne the clownish royle
Is glad to see them in his soyle:
And on Hyblean grasse to swarme;
The treasure of his little farme.
374
Vnto iust warre draw on their swords.
And their loose minds, whom pleasure feeds,
He then recals to martiall deeds,
And patiently warres brunt to beare
With industrie and free from feare.
And first of all vpon the sands,
He traines and drawes them out in bands.
Then next to that they do inuest
Cyrenas wals and it possest.
And though that towne had him refusde:
Yet he on them no rigor vsd.
For Cato no reuenge would take,
To conquer did his anger slake.
Thence he his speedie march designes
To Iubas kingdome, whose confines
Confront the Mauritanian lands.
But that the Syrts his course withstands
Amidst his way; although he thought
All difficulties might be brought
To passe, by vertues dantlesse prowes.
When nature did at first dispose
These Syrts, and shapt their figure out;
She left it to the world in doubt,
Whether it should be land or seas,
For vtterly it doth not please,
To sinke it selfe beneath the maine:
Nor yet the land can so restraine
The waues, but they will haue a share,
And such a dangerous place prepare;
That there to trauell none shall dare.
For here the Sea doth channels straine,
And there the lands do rise againe.
Here is a long stretcht tracke of shore,
And there the swallowing whirlepooles rore.
So nature wretchedly designde
This portion of her proper kinde,
Vnto no vse, or else of old
Those Syrts more waues in them did hold
And with the Seas were ouer rowld.
But that attractiue Titans beames
(Feeding vpon the ocean streames,
That to the torrid zone were nie)
Some of the weltring waues did drie.
And yet the Ocean in despight
Resisteth Phœbus parching might.
But yet his beames (as they draw neare)
And wearing time those seas will cleare,
And make the Syrts firme land appeare.
For scarcely now a little boate
Can on the superficies flote,
Of those drown'd sands where water stayes,
And more and more that sea decayes.
He traines and drawes them out in bands.
Then next to that they do inuest
Cyrenas wals and it possest.
And though that towne had him refusde:
Yet he on them no rigor vsd.
For Cato no reuenge would take,
To conquer did his anger slake.
Thence he his speedie march designes
To Iubas kingdome, whose confines
Confront the Mauritanian lands.
But that the Syrts his course withstands
Amidst his way; although he thought
All difficulties might be brought
To passe, by vertues dantlesse prowes.
When nature did at first dispose
These Syrts, and shapt their figure out;
She left it to the world in doubt,
Whether it should be land or seas,
For vtterly it doth not please,
To sinke it selfe beneath the maine:
Nor yet the land can so restraine
The waues, but they will haue a share,
And such a dangerous place prepare;
That there to trauell none shall dare.
For here the Sea doth channels straine,
And there the lands do rise againe.
Here is a long stretcht tracke of shore,
And there the swallowing whirlepooles rore.
So nature wretchedly designde
This portion of her proper kinde,
Vnto no vse, or else of old
Those Syrts more waues in them did hold
And with the Seas were ouer rowld.
375
(Feeding vpon the ocean streames,
That to the torrid zone were nie)
Some of the weltring waues did drie.
And yet the Ocean in despight
Resisteth Phœbus parching might.
But yet his beames (as they draw neare)
And wearing time those seas will cleare,
And make the Syrts firme land appeare.
For scarcely now a little boate
Can on the superficies flote,
Of those drown'd sands where water stayes,
And more and more that sea decayes.
As soone as by the helpe of oares,
The fleet was gotten from the shores
Into the deepes, with all their fraight,
The blacke Southwind blowing a haight
Out of his region stormy gales,
Farre from her course the nauie hales.
And with huge tempests that he sends,
Those seas attempted now defends.
Farre from the Syrts the waues he beates,
Against the cliffes the billow freates.
And all the ships that sailes did beare,
The tempest from the yards did teare.
In vaine the tackling and the shrouds,
Their sailes deny'd to those fierce clouds.
But ouer boord away are borne,
Fluttering at large their ships they scorne.
And if that any sayler stout
Vnto the yards do goe about
To fixe the sailes with cordage fast,
He's borne away with whirlwind blast,
And from the naked yard is cast.
But all those ships found better chance,
That in the lofty billows dance.
And still aloofe their course did keepe
Amidst the channels in the deepe.
And by the boord did cut their masts,
Lesse subiect thereby to the blasts.
So as the tides had power on them,
And in despight with force did stemme
The puffing windes full in the mouth,
And bare those vessels to the South.
The other ships the water failes,
Their Keeles vpon those hye sands trayles,
That lifts it selfe aboue the flood,
So as in doubtfull state they stood.
The shelfe the one part doth detaine,
The other part hangs in the maine.
And as the billowes comes more thicke,
The faster in the sholes they sticke.
For though the forcing Southerne racke
Rowles one waue on anothers backe:
Yet all those waues could not suffise
To drench the shelfe where it did rise.
This hugy heape of cluttered sand
Vncouered now lay farre from land,
And higher vnto sight was rear'd
Then Neptunes rugged backe appear'd.
The wretched Saylers there are grounded:
The ships vpon the shelfe confounded
So farre, that they no shore can spye,
And in the seas thus beating lye.
Yet of this fleet the greater part
(With bitter stirrage) got the start
Of these, and safely scap't away,
Taking their best course as it lay,
With skilfull Pilots that did know
The coasts, and where the channels goe.
And so at length by chance they light
On that slow streame thats Tryton hight.
The fleet was gotten from the shores
Into the deepes, with all their fraight,
The blacke Southwind blowing a haight
Out of his region stormy gales,
Farre from her course the nauie hales.
And with huge tempests that he sends,
Those seas attempted now defends.
Farre from the Syrts the waues he beates,
Against the cliffes the billow freates.
And all the ships that sailes did beare,
The tempest from the yards did teare.
In vaine the tackling and the shrouds,
Their sailes deny'd to those fierce clouds.
But ouer boord away are borne,
Fluttering at large their ships they scorne.
And if that any sayler stout
Vnto the yards do goe about
To fixe the sailes with cordage fast,
He's borne away with whirlwind blast,
And from the naked yard is cast.
But all those ships found better chance,
That in the lofty billows dance.
And still aloofe their course did keepe
Amidst the channels in the deepe.
And by the boord did cut their masts,
Lesse subiect thereby to the blasts.
378
And in despight with force did stemme
The puffing windes full in the mouth,
And bare those vessels to the South.
The other ships the water failes,
Their Keeles vpon those hye sands trayles,
That lifts it selfe aboue the flood,
So as in doubtfull state they stood.
The shelfe the one part doth detaine,
The other part hangs in the maine.
And as the billowes comes more thicke,
The faster in the sholes they sticke.
For though the forcing Southerne racke
Rowles one waue on anothers backe:
Yet all those waues could not suffise
To drench the shelfe where it did rise.
This hugy heape of cluttered sand
Vncouered now lay farre from land,
And higher vnto sight was rear'd
Then Neptunes rugged backe appear'd.
The wretched Saylers there are grounded:
The ships vpon the shelfe confounded
So farre, that they no shore can spye,
And in the seas thus beating lye.
Yet of this fleet the greater part
(With bitter stirrage) got the start
Of these, and safely scap't away,
Taking their best course as it lay,
With skilfull Pilots that did know
The coasts, and where the channels goe.
And so at length by chance they light
On that slow streame thats Tryton hight.
That God (as old reports do tell)
Which with his ringing Trumpe of shell
Makes all the maine his sound to heare
With windy notes so shrill and cleare,
Of riuers all loues this most deare.
And Pallas like esteeme did make
That of Ioues braine her birth did take.
For that same Lybian Region
Was first land that she trode vpon.
And is vnto the heauens most neare:
As by his heates it doth appeare.
In whose smooth waters christall shine
She then did see her face diuine.
And there her plants she did dispose,
And to her selfe the name she chose
Of Trytonesse, where this streame flowes.
Neare which (as fame reports) likewise,
The silent Læthe doth arise:
That with infernall veines is fed:
By which forgetfulnesse is bred.
Here also was conioyn'd to these,
The garden of Hesperides:
Despoiled of her leaues so bright,
Kept by the waking Dragons might.
That man is spitefull of condition,
That will detract from old tradition.
Or call the Poets to accompt
For ought which may the truth surmount.
This golden groue of treasures store,
(Whose boughs such shining apples bore)
A troope of virgins guarded still,
Whose glistring streames the aire did fill.
And that foule Serpents charge to keepe,
Whose eyes are aye debard of sleepe.
And with his taile the trunks infold,
That stoope with ouerwaight of gold.
But great Alcydes tooke away
From these rich trees the pretious pray.
And did those shining apples bring
To Euristæus Argiues king.
The nauie (so cast on this caost,
And from the Syrts so clearely tost)
Past not as yet beyond the shore
Of Garamants, where as they more.
But Sextus with his troops staid there,
Where Affricks climes more pleasant were.
Though Catos valor brooks no stay:
But with his cohorts takes his way,
Through coasts vnknown where dangers lay.
His confidence in armes did stand,
And circuits all the Syrts by land.
And this the winters wroth perswades,
That then did barre those seas of trades.
Besides, the fires of Phœbus rayes
The falling showres then much allayes.
So as his iourney he might hold,
Neither opprest with heate nor cold.
For where the flaming heate did rage,
The dewy season doth asswage.
So through the barren sands he venters,
And vsd this speech before he enters.
Which with his ringing Trumpe of shell
Makes all the maine his sound to heare
With windy notes so shrill and cleare,
Of riuers all loues this most deare.
And Pallas like esteeme did make
That of Ioues braine her birth did take.
For that same Lybian Region
377
And is vnto the heauens most neare:
As by his heates it doth appeare.
In whose smooth waters christall shine
She then did see her face diuine.
And there her plants she did dispose,
And to her selfe the name she chose
Of Trytonesse, where this streame flowes.
Neare which (as fame reports) likewise,
The silent Læthe doth arise:
That with infernall veines is fed:
By which forgetfulnesse is bred.
Here also was conioyn'd to these,
The garden of Hesperides:
Despoiled of her leaues so bright,
Kept by the waking Dragons might.
That man is spitefull of condition,
That will detract from old tradition.
Or call the Poets to accompt
For ought which may the truth surmount.
This golden groue of treasures store,
(Whose boughs such shining apples bore)
A troope of virgins guarded still,
Whose glistring streames the aire did fill.
And that foule Serpents charge to keepe,
Whose eyes are aye debard of sleepe.
And with his taile the trunks infold,
That stoope with ouerwaight of gold.
But great Alcydes tooke away
From these rich trees the pretious pray.
And did those shining apples bring
To Euristæus Argiues king.
The nauie (so cast on this caost,
And from the Syrts so clearely tost)
Past not as yet beyond the shore
Of Garamants, where as they more.
But Sextus with his troops staid there,
Where Affricks climes more pleasant were.
Though Catos valor brooks no stay:
But with his cohorts takes his way,
378
His confidence in armes did stand,
And circuits all the Syrts by land.
And this the winters wroth perswades,
That then did barre those seas of trades.
Besides, the fires of Phœbus rayes
The falling showres then much allayes.
So as his iourney he might hold,
Neither opprest with heate nor cold.
For where the flaming heate did rage,
The dewy season doth asswage.
So through the barren sands he venters,
And vsd this speech before he enters.
O ye that with one common will,
(Dauntlesse to hold your freedome still)
Do follow me with such content,
Let now your minds be wholy bent
To vndergoe this valours taske,
That toyle and constancy doth aske.
We goe into the barren fields,
Of clymats scorcht, that nothing yeelds.
Where Tytan parcheth all the ground,
And fountaines rarely to be found.
Whereas the lands in plenty brings
Forth serpents with their poysnous stings.
A iourney that with horror rings.
Let therefore those (whom deare loue drawes
To freedome, and his Countries cause)
March on through Lybia with mee,
And search out wayes that waylesse bee.
If so be they haue no desire
To leaue our Ensignes, and retire;
But are resolu'd for vertues hire.
For it is no part of my minde
Mens eyes with fallacies to blinde:
Nor yet the Souldiers hearts to cheere,
By cloking dangers that draw neere.
For I of such mates must bee sped,
That freely are by dangers led,
By such as Roman worth esteeme,
And hardest haps, the brauest deeme,
That can indure the toyles of Mart,
Whilst I a witnesse share my part.
But for that souldier that shall need
One to assure him happy speed,
And holds his life at so deare rate,
That he will euery doubt debate;
Let him another leader seeke,
And finde a way he more may leeke;
Before that I do take in hand
This iourney through this parched sand,
And march vpon this dustie land.
And let these parching heates first light
On me, with all their fierie might.
And let the Serpents me assaile
With poysned teeth, and venom'd taile.
Let all those perils (that you dread)
Be tried first vpon my head.
Let him, that sees that I am drie,
Refresh himselfe as well as I.
Or that the wooddy shades I seeke:
Let him (then panting) do the like.
Or sees that I a horsebacke ride,
And so my troops of footmen guide:
Let him likewise for ease prouide.
Or if (as chiefetaine) I doe craue
Any prerogatiue to haue
Before the souldier vnder me,
But cheeke by cheeke his mate wilbe:
These drouths, these thirsts, these snakes, these sands
Chiefely with valors liking stands.
Patience takes ioy in bitter bands.
A worthy act holdes greatest state,
When it is bought at dearest rate.
And Lybias clime such store doth yeeld
Of miseries in euery field,
As that it may (without defame)
Become braue men to shun the same,
So he these souldiers fearefull sprites
To valarous attempts encites.
And to the loue of Martiall broiles
In desert paths he wandring toiles.
Through endlesse wayes a passage made,
He doth the Lybian coast inuade.
So dreadlesse Cato (in short date)
Lights on a place to close his fate.
Whereas a slender tombe shall shrine
(Within her wombe) his name diuine.
The third part of this massie round
(If we beleeue what fame doth sound)
Is Affrica; but if we take
The same, as heauen and winds do make,
Of Europe then it is a share.
For Nylus shores no further are
From Gades (as first it was a land)
Then Scythian Tanais doth stand.
And whereas Europe is descyded
From Lybs, it was by sea deuided.
But Asia did Europa passe,
And in his circuit greater was.
So whilst these two do iointly send
South-westerne blasts, that Noth-east tend,
Asia alone (on lefter hand)
Coniynd to Boreas chilly land:
And on the right to that South streame,
The confines of Egyptian realme;
From these two limits is possest
Of all the title of the East,
The parts of Lybia chiefe and best,
Enclining is vnto the West.
And yet no fountains there are found,
And seldome showres to moist the ground,
That from the Artick clime proceeds.
Yet our dry winds their moisture breeds.
That mould in it no wealth doth hold,
Either of brasse, or yet of gold.
No wicked mines therein haue birth:
But all the soyle is sollid earth.
In Mauritania trees do grow,
Whose worth the people did not know.
But to themselues contentment giue,
Vnder the Cytrons shade to liue.
Our axes since these woods haue feld,
That meerely were vnknowne to eld.
And from the worlds remotest side,
We brought our luxurie and pride.
(Dauntlesse to hold your freedome still)
Do follow me with such content,
Let now your minds be wholy bent
To vndergoe this valours taske,
That toyle and constancy doth aske.
We goe into the barren fields,
Of clymats scorcht, that nothing yeelds.
Where Tytan parcheth all the ground,
And fountaines rarely to be found.
Whereas the lands in plenty brings
Forth serpents with their poysnous stings.
A iourney that with horror rings.
Let therefore those (whom deare loue drawes
To freedome, and his Countries cause)
March on through Lybia with mee,
And search out wayes that waylesse bee.
If so be they haue no desire
To leaue our Ensignes, and retire;
But are resolu'd for vertues hire.
For it is no part of my minde
Mens eyes with fallacies to blinde:
Nor yet the Souldiers hearts to cheere,
By cloking dangers that draw neere.
For I of such mates must bee sped,
That freely are by dangers led,
By such as Roman worth esteeme,
379
That can indure the toyles of Mart,
Whilst I a witnesse share my part.
But for that souldier that shall need
One to assure him happy speed,
And holds his life at so deare rate,
That he will euery doubt debate;
Let him another leader seeke,
And finde a way he more may leeke;
Before that I do take in hand
This iourney through this parched sand,
And march vpon this dustie land.
And let these parching heates first light
On me, with all their fierie might.
And let the Serpents me assaile
With poysned teeth, and venom'd taile.
Let all those perils (that you dread)
Be tried first vpon my head.
Let him, that sees that I am drie,
Refresh himselfe as well as I.
Or that the wooddy shades I seeke:
Let him (then panting) do the like.
Or sees that I a horsebacke ride,
And so my troops of footmen guide:
Let him likewise for ease prouide.
Or if (as chiefetaine) I doe craue
Any prerogatiue to haue
Before the souldier vnder me,
But cheeke by cheeke his mate wilbe:
These drouths, these thirsts, these snakes, these sands
Chiefely with valors liking stands.
Patience takes ioy in bitter bands.
A worthy act holdes greatest state,
When it is bought at dearest rate.
And Lybias clime such store doth yeeld
Of miseries in euery field,
As that it may (without defame)
Become braue men to shun the same,
So he these souldiers fearefull sprites
To valarous attempts encites.
380
In desert paths he wandring toiles.
Through endlesse wayes a passage made,
He doth the Lybian coast inuade.
So dreadlesse Cato (in short date)
Lights on a place to close his fate.
Whereas a slender tombe shall shrine
(Within her wombe) his name diuine.
The third part of this massie round
(If we beleeue what fame doth sound)
Is Affrica; but if we take
The same, as heauen and winds do make,
Of Europe then it is a share.
For Nylus shores no further are
From Gades (as first it was a land)
Then Scythian Tanais doth stand.
And whereas Europe is descyded
From Lybs, it was by sea deuided.
But Asia did Europa passe,
And in his circuit greater was.
So whilst these two do iointly send
South-westerne blasts, that Noth-east tend,
Asia alone (on lefter hand)
Coniynd to Boreas chilly land:
And on the right to that South streame,
The confines of Egyptian realme;
From these two limits is possest
Of all the title of the East,
The parts of Lybia chiefe and best,
Enclining is vnto the West.
And yet no fountains there are found,
And seldome showres to moist the ground,
That from the Artick clime proceeds.
Yet our dry winds their moisture breeds.
That mould in it no wealth doth hold,
Either of brasse, or yet of gold.
No wicked mines therein haue birth:
But all the soyle is sollid earth.
In Mauritania trees do grow,
Whose worth the people did not know.
381
Vnder the Cytrons shade to liue.
Our axes since these woods haue feld,
That meerely were vnknowne to eld.
And from the worlds remotest side,
We brought our luxurie and pride.
But all the coasts both neare and farre,
(That with the Syrts inuiron'd are)
With too much heate are ouer-run,
And parched with the neighbor Sun.
As that their graine it doth destroy,
And all their Vines the dust doth cloy.
No moistned roote the same doth feed,
Nor vitall temper it will breed.
The Gods that soile do not respect,
And nature (stupid with neglect)
That land of comfort doth depriue.
Those dead sands no spring can reuiue.
And yet in this dull barren ground
Rare herbs and plants are often found,
The which the Nasamons finde out,
And gather vp; a people stout
That naked are, and those coasts keepes,
Which frontiers all alongst the deepes;
And with the wracke themselues do nourish,
Of ships, that on the Syrts do perish:
For alwaies they in waite do stand
For pillage on the Ocean sand,
When as the ships cannot attaine
The port, their wealth, and spoyle they gaine.
So as these Nasmons hold commerce,
And trade with all the Vniuerse.
(In manner of Barbarian kinde)
By wracks that on their shore they finde.
This wretched way Cato seekes out,
There to lead on with courage stout,
And there his souldiers to inure,
More stormes then on the seas endure.
For that the Syrts southwinds do cause
Vpon those sands most harmefull flawes.
For there no Lybian mounts suffise
To stay the furie that doth rise.
Nor yet the rocks their force asswage,
But in the aire those whirlewinds rage.
Amongst the woods they do not fall,
Rooting vp hugie trees withall:
But flie alongst the parched plaine,
(Without resist) with might and maine,
And on the sands their rage bestowes,
The which it violently blowes.
And neuer is alaid againe
With any clouds of showring raine.
But sweeps in heapes the sands on hie,
Which hang and doe not scattring flie.
(That with the Syrts inuiron'd are)
With too much heate are ouer-run,
And parched with the neighbor Sun.
As that their graine it doth destroy,
And all their Vines the dust doth cloy.
No moistned roote the same doth feed,
Nor vitall temper it will breed.
The Gods that soile do not respect,
And nature (stupid with neglect)
That land of comfort doth depriue.
Those dead sands no spring can reuiue.
And yet in this dull barren ground
Rare herbs and plants are often found,
The which the Nasamons finde out,
And gather vp; a people stout
That naked are, and those coasts keepes,
Which frontiers all alongst the deepes;
And with the wracke themselues do nourish,
Of ships, that on the Syrts do perish:
For alwaies they in waite do stand
For pillage on the Ocean sand,
When as the ships cannot attaine
The port, their wealth, and spoyle they gaine.
So as these Nasmons hold commerce,
And trade with all the Vniuerse.
(In manner of Barbarian kinde)
By wracks that on their shore they finde.
This wretched way Cato seekes out,
There to lead on with courage stout,
And there his souldiers to inure,
More stormes then on the seas endure.
For that the Syrts southwinds do cause
Vpon those sands most harmefull flawes.
382
To stay the furie that doth rise.
Nor yet the rocks their force asswage,
But in the aire those whirlewinds rage.
Amongst the woods they do not fall,
Rooting vp hugie trees withall:
But flie alongst the parched plaine,
(Without resist) with might and maine,
And on the sands their rage bestowes,
The which it violently blowes.
And neuer is alaid againe
With any clouds of showring raine.
But sweeps in heapes the sands on hie,
Which hang and doe not scattring flie.
The wretched Nasmons thus behold
Their kingdome still with tempests rowld,
Their houses to the earth downe throwne,
Their roofs (with whirlewinds fury blowne
From off their Garamantine frames)
To wring as high as hugest flames.
And as the smokes ascention
Vnto the middle region,
Which darkenesse to the day procures,
So clouds of dust the aire obscures,
The Roman troops began to finde
The outrage of this whirling wind,
More furiously them to assaile:
So as their footing did them faile.
For euen the very sands did fleete,
And slip from vnderneath their feete.
The earths foundation it had rac't,
And from his proper seate displac't.
If that these winds had made their birth
Within the Cauerns of the Earth,
And crept into the hollow docks,
That are surcharg'd with Lybias rocks,
But for because the flitting sand,
Doth not the forcing wind withstand,
Nor make resistance with firme ground,
The soyles foundation did stand sound.
And that which fled before the winde,
Were vpper sands, loose, vncombinde.
But there withall so forciblie,
The violent blasts amongst them flie,
As that from them it takes and teares
Their swords, their casks, their shields, and speares,
And through the vacant aire them beares.
The which to other coasts might seeme:
A prodigy of streaming esteeme.
As though those armes from heauen did fall,
To terrifie the world withall.
And that which from mens hands was hent,
The Gods downe to the earth had sent.
Surely those armes fell in such wise,
Whilst Numa was in sacrifise,
The which (in a religious feare)
The chiefe Patrician youths did weare.
So now their armes our souldiers lost,
By South or Northerne tempest tost.
Their kingdome still with tempests rowld,
Their houses to the earth downe throwne,
Their roofs (with whirlewinds fury blowne
From off their Garamantine frames)
To wring as high as hugest flames.
And as the smokes ascention
Vnto the middle region,
Which darkenesse to the day procures,
So clouds of dust the aire obscures,
The Roman troops began to finde
The outrage of this whirling wind,
More furiously them to assaile:
So as their footing did them faile.
For euen the very sands did fleete,
And slip from vnderneath their feete.
The earths foundation it had rac't,
And from his proper seate displac't.
If that these winds had made their birth
Within the Cauerns of the Earth,
And crept into the hollow docks,
That are surcharg'd with Lybias rocks,
But for because the flitting sand,
Doth not the forcing wind withstand,
Nor make resistance with firme ground,
The soyles foundation did stand sound.
383
Were vpper sands, loose, vncombinde.
But there withall so forciblie,
The violent blasts amongst them flie,
As that from them it takes and teares
Their swords, their casks, their shields, and speares,
And through the vacant aire them beares.
The which to other coasts might seeme:
A prodigy of streaming esteeme.
As though those armes from heauen did fall,
To terrifie the world withall.
And that which from mens hands was hent,
The Gods downe to the earth had sent.
Surely those armes fell in such wise,
Whilst Numa was in sacrifise,
The which (in a religious feare)
The chiefe Patrician youths did weare.
So now their armes our souldiers lost,
By South or Northerne tempest tost.
In this sort all our Romane troopes
(Scar'd with these winds) down prostrate droops:
Fearing the rapture of each blast,
Their garments they gird to them fast.
And thrust their hands into the mould.
Their own weight seru'd not them to hould.
But they were forc't all helps to proue:
And yet the winds would them remoue.
And therewithall orewhelm'd be they,
With heapes of sands whereas they lay.
Which dust on them so heauie lies,
That they scarce able were to rise,
But sticke fast in the heaped sand.
And when they get vpright to stand,
The same so thicke about them flotes,
That they stand buried to the throates.
Stones from the wals are taken out,
And through the aire are borne about,
And cast farre off (most strange to see)
Whose fals to many harmfull bee.
And where no houses can be found,
Huge ruins lie vpon the ground.
There did appeare no way nor path,
The soile at all no difference hath.
But as vpon the seas you saile,
So must the stars your course auaile,
And by them seeke to finde your way.
And yet starres do not still display
In circuite of the Lybian skies:
For many shine not to their eyes,
But vnder their horizon lies.
(Scar'd with these winds) down prostrate droops:
Fearing the rapture of each blast,
Their garments they gird to them fast.
And thrust their hands into the mould.
Their own weight seru'd not them to hould.
But they were forc't all helps to proue:
And yet the winds would them remoue.
And therewithall orewhelm'd be they,
With heapes of sands whereas they lay.
Which dust on them so heauie lies,
That they scarce able were to rise,
But sticke fast in the heaped sand.
And when they get vpright to stand,
The same so thicke about them flotes,
That they stand buried to the throates.
Stones from the wals are taken out,
And through the aire are borne about,
And cast farre off (most strange to see)
Whose fals to many harmfull bee.
And where no houses can be found,
384
There did appeare no way nor path,
The soile at all no difference hath.
But as vpon the seas you saile,
So must the stars your course auaile,
And by them seeke to finde your way.
And yet starres do not still display
In circuite of the Lybian skies:
For many shine not to their eyes,
But vnder their horizon lies.
Now when the heates had nere appeasd
The winds, whose rage the aire had ceasd:
And that the daies more feruent grew,
And did more scorching beames renew;
Through such a countrey then they passe,
As by the Gods designed was
Of mortall wights to be vnknowne:
Plac't vnderneath the torrid zoane.
Where noght is found but parching drouth,
All moisture tending to the South.
Their lims and ioynts in sweat do melt,
Their mouths and iawes with thirst do swelt.
Yet heare a little vaine they spie,
Of putred water running by.
The which the souldiers scarce could get,
So did the sands the current let.
But yet out of the pudled spring
One fils his Caske, and doth it bring
To Cato (Chieftaine of the hoast)
When all with drought were then embost.
Who first a little say did take,
And then in anger thus bespake.
Thou souldier base, what dost thou see,
That is of so small worth in mee?
That I alone (of of all this troope)
For want of continence should droope?
Haue I of nycenesse shewd such signe,
That I should first at thirst repine?
Nay thou that blame dost more deserue,
That drinkst whilst all for thirst do sterue.
Therewith he ouer-turn'd the Caske:
All were suffisd, none water aske.
The winds, whose rage the aire had ceasd:
And that the daies more feruent grew,
And did more scorching beames renew;
Through such a countrey then they passe,
As by the Gods designed was
Of mortall wights to be vnknowne:
Plac't vnderneath the torrid zoane.
Where noght is found but parching drouth,
All moisture tending to the South.
Their lims and ioynts in sweat do melt,
Their mouths and iawes with thirst do swelt.
Yet heare a little vaine they spie,
Of putred water running by.
The which the souldiers scarce could get,
So did the sands the current let.
But yet out of the pudled spring
One fils his Caske, and doth it bring
To Cato (Chieftaine of the hoast)
When all with drought were then embost.
Who first a little say did take,
And then in anger thus bespake.
Thou souldier base, what dost thou see,
That is of so small worth in mee?
That I alone (of of all this troope)
For want of continence should droope?
Haue I of nycenesse shewd such signe,
That I should first at thirst repine?
Nay thou that blame dost more deserue,
That drinkst whilst all for thirst do sterue.
385
All were suffisd, none water aske.
Then they vnto that Temple came,
That serues for all the Libian name:
And where rude Garamants doe dwell,
They haue no other sacred Cell.
And here (as old report doth runne)
The horned Iupiter doth wonne.
But thunder-bolts he none doth beare:
Nor is like Latiums Iupiter.
With wretched hornes his head is dight;
And Ammon Iupiter he hight.
The Lybians this Temple hold,
Endowed not with gifts nor gold;
Nor Iewels of the Easterne morne
(with glistering) did this place adorne.
And yet the Æthiopians,
And all the rich Arabians,
With those in India that liue,
To Ammon onely God-head giue.
Yet for a God he is but bare,
In no age he for wealth had care.
His Temple he from that restraines,
Vnviolate with greedy gaines.
And (as it was the ancient guise)
That God-head did the gold despise
That in the Roman Temples lies.
And that same place doth witnesse well,
That there some heauenly powers do dwell.
For onely there is to be seene,
That Lybian soyle doth bring forth greene.
For all the rest of parched sands,
Diuided from the temperate lands
Of Berenice, and Leptis ground,
Nor grasse nor leafe is to be found.
Ammon alone greene groues retaines,
And those are causd by springing vaines,
Which in that place the earth refines,
And with those springs the sands combines.
That serues for all the Libian name:
And where rude Garamants doe dwell,
They haue no other sacred Cell.
And here (as old report doth runne)
The horned Iupiter doth wonne.
But thunder-bolts he none doth beare:
Nor is like Latiums Iupiter.
With wretched hornes his head is dight;
And Ammon Iupiter he hight.
The Lybians this Temple hold,
Endowed not with gifts nor gold;
Nor Iewels of the Easterne morne
(with glistering) did this place adorne.
And yet the Æthiopians,
And all the rich Arabians,
With those in India that liue,
To Ammon onely God-head giue.
Yet for a God he is but bare,
In no age he for wealth had care.
His Temple he from that restraines,
Vnviolate with greedy gaines.
And (as it was the ancient guise)
That God-head did the gold despise
That in the Roman Temples lies.
And that same place doth witnesse well,
That there some heauenly powers do dwell.
For onely there is to be seene,
That Lybian soyle doth bring forth greene.
For all the rest of parched sands,
Diuided from the temperate lands
Of Berenice, and Leptis ground,
Nor grasse nor leafe is to be found.
Ammon alone greene groues retaines,
And those are causd by springing vaines,
Which in that place the earth refines,
And with those springs the sands combines.
Here nothing doth withstand the Sunne
When he his highest pitch doth runne,
In equalling their nights and dayes:
For then the boughes scarce shade displayes
Vpon the body of the tree,
The sunny beames so shortned bee;
By reason that they downe-right strike,
And therefore cause no shade oblike.
And this is thought to be the place
Whereas the Sunnes high circling race
Doth cut the line that beares the Signes,
In middle where the Solstice shines.
For then they go no whit a scance,
Nor Taurus righter doth aduance,
Then Scorpio, in his sphericke dance:
Nor Aries doth prescribe the times
To Libra, when his height he climes.
Nor yet Astræa doth require
Slow Pisces downe-ward to retire.
Chyron the Centaure equally
Is opposite to Gemini:
And moistie Capricorne the same
In distance, as is Cancers flame.
Nor Leo (with his fiery eyes)
Doth higher then Aquarius rise.
But vnto thee, who so thou art
Of any Nation, that apart
Is sequestred from Lybian beames,
The shadow euer South-ward streames;
But contrary with Northerne Realmes.
Thy sight the North-starre vndergoes,
And Vrsa Maior to thee showes;
As if that all his vnwet waine
Were ouer-whelmed in the maine.
And each starre, that is most of light,
Seemes (by the sea) hid from thy sight:
And either Pole this Region
Makes equall with thy Horizon;
Where all the Signes (in their swift force)
In midst of heauen do run their course.
386
In equalling their nights and dayes:
For then the boughes scarce shade displayes
Vpon the body of the tree,
The sunny beames so shortned bee;
By reason that they downe-right strike,
And therefore cause no shade oblike.
And this is thought to be the place
Whereas the Sunnes high circling race
Doth cut the line that beares the Signes,
In middle where the Solstice shines.
For then they go no whit a scance,
Nor Taurus righter doth aduance,
Then Scorpio, in his sphericke dance:
Nor Aries doth prescribe the times
To Libra, when his height he climes.
Nor yet Astræa doth require
Slow Pisces downe-ward to retire.
Chyron the Centaure equally
Is opposite to Gemini:
And moistie Capricorne the same
In distance, as is Cancers flame.
Nor Leo (with his fiery eyes)
Doth higher then Aquarius rise.
But vnto thee, who so thou art
Of any Nation, that apart
Is sequestred from Lybian beames,
The shadow euer South-ward streames;
But contrary with Northerne Realmes.
Thy sight the North-starre vndergoes,
And Vrsa Maior to thee showes;
As if that all his vnwet waine
Were ouer-whelmed in the maine.
And each starre, that is most of light,
Seemes (by the sea) hid from thy sight:
And either Pole this Region
Makes equall with thy Horizon;
Where all the Signes (in their swift force)
In midst of heauen do run their course.
Before this Temple gate did stand
The people of the Easterne land,
Attending there to know their fates,
Which Ammons Oracle relates.
But yet to Cato all gaue way;
And his owne Captaines doe him pray,
That of this God he would explore
(Whom Lybia did so much adore)
His doome, what fortunes and what chance
The future Ages should aduance.
And he that Cato most importunes,
To search the knowledge of their fortunes,
And counsell of this God to take,
Was Labienus, that thus spake:
The happe and fortune of our way
Hath offered vs this lucky day,
To learne from this high power diuine,
Of our successe the fatall fine.
For by so great a guide as he,
We may a right directed be
Through Syrts, in wandring neare and farre:
And know the chances of this warre.
For vnto whom should I beleeue
The heauenly powers would sooner giue
True knowledge of their secret hest,
Then vnto Cato's holy breast?
For thy iust life God hath respected,
And beene by lawes diuine directed;
And vnto thee tis granted still
With Ioue himselfe to speake at will.
Enquire of wicked Cæsars fate,
And what shall be our Countries state.
Whether the people shall retaine
Their lawes, and liberties againe;
Or ciuill warre shall vs still straine?
Fill now thy breast with sacred voyce,
Thou that in vertue dost reioyce;
Learne what our valour may atchiue,
And how our honest course may thriue.
387
Attending there to know their fates,
Which Ammons Oracle relates.
But yet to Cato all gaue way;
And his owne Captaines doe him pray,
That of this God he would explore
(Whom Lybia did so much adore)
His doome, what fortunes and what chance
The future Ages should aduance.
And he that Cato most importunes,
To search the knowledge of their fortunes,
And counsell of this God to take,
Was Labienus, that thus spake:
The happe and fortune of our way
Hath offered vs this lucky day,
To learne from this high power diuine,
Of our successe the fatall fine.
For by so great a guide as he,
We may a right directed be
Through Syrts, in wandring neare and farre:
And know the chances of this warre.
For vnto whom should I beleeue
The heauenly powers would sooner giue
True knowledge of their secret hest,
Then vnto Cato's holy breast?
For thy iust life God hath respected,
And beene by lawes diuine directed;
And vnto thee tis granted still
With Ioue himselfe to speake at will.
Enquire of wicked Cæsars fate,
And what shall be our Countries state.
Whether the people shall retaine
Their lawes, and liberties againe;
Or ciuill warre shall vs still straine?
Fill now thy breast with sacred voyce,
Thou that in vertue dost reioyce;
Learne what our valour may atchiue,
And how our honest course may thriue.
He (alwayes fild with grace diuine,
That in his secret soule did shrine)
These worthy speeches from his heart
(Like Oracles) doth now impart.
O Labienus to me show,
What thou woldst I should seek to know.
Where I in Armes had rather dye,
Or liue a slaue to tyranny.
Whether we may a life it call,
That is not dated long withall?
Where diffring age doe oft auaile,
Where rigor can true goodnesse quaile?
Where fortune doe her threats but loose,
When she doth vertues might oppose?
Whether that it may vs suffice
Praise-worthy deeds to enterprise?
And whether that it be successe
Makes honest actions more or lesse?
This we already know as well
As Ammon can the same vs tell.
Vpon the Gods we all depend;
And though this Temple had an end,
Yet otherwise nought can succeed,
But by Gods ordinance decreed.
His mighty power no voyce doth need.
The Author of all mortall kinde,
Hath once for all declar'd his minde,
Our knowledge is by him confin'd.
These barren sands are not his choyce,
Where he will vtter forth his voyce.
Nor in this dust doth hee conceale
Those truthes, that he meanes to reueale.
The sacred seates of God are these,
The Heauens, the Aire, the Earth, the Seas,
And vertues selfe; why should wee proue
To search beyond the Gods aboue?
What so thou seest, where so thou art
Of Iupiter himselfe is part.
Let faithlesse minds these witch-crafts need,
And such as dread what shall succeed.
No Oracles can me secure,
But death it selfe that is most sure.
The Coward, and the valiant Knight
Must fall at last, and leaue this light.
And now for all may vs suffice,
That Ioue himselfe speakes in this wise.
So hauing said, with faiths repose,
The Temples Altars he forgoes;
And Ammons counsell doth disdaine,
Leauing it to those people vaine.
That in his secret soule did shrine)
388
(Like Oracles) doth now impart.
O Labienus to me show,
What thou woldst I should seek to know.
Where I in Armes had rather dye,
Or liue a slaue to tyranny.
Whether we may a life it call,
That is not dated long withall?
Where diffring age doe oft auaile,
Where rigor can true goodnesse quaile?
Where fortune doe her threats but loose,
When she doth vertues might oppose?
Whether that it may vs suffice
Praise-worthy deeds to enterprise?
And whether that it be successe
Makes honest actions more or lesse?
This we already know as well
As Ammon can the same vs tell.
Vpon the Gods we all depend;
And though this Temple had an end,
Yet otherwise nought can succeed,
But by Gods ordinance decreed.
His mighty power no voyce doth need.
The Author of all mortall kinde,
Hath once for all declar'd his minde,
Our knowledge is by him confin'd.
These barren sands are not his choyce,
Where he will vtter forth his voyce.
Nor in this dust doth hee conceale
Those truthes, that he meanes to reueale.
The sacred seates of God are these,
The Heauens, the Aire, the Earth, the Seas,
And vertues selfe; why should wee proue
To search beyond the Gods aboue?
What so thou seest, where so thou art
Of Iupiter himselfe is part.
Let faithlesse minds these witch-crafts need,
And such as dread what shall succeed.
No Oracles can me secure,
But death it selfe that is most sure.
389
Must fall at last, and leaue this light.
And now for all may vs suffice,
That Ioue himselfe speakes in this wise.
So hauing said, with faiths repose,
The Temples Altars he forgoes;
And Ammons counsell doth disdaine,
Leauing it to those people vaine.
Then in his hand he takes his pile,
And march't a foot himselfe the while
Before his troopes, that panting went;
He shewes them how to be content
To suffer toyle, without constraint;
Since labour could not make him faint.
He is not on their shoulders borne,
A Charret he did hold in scorne.
Small rest and sleepe he vsd to take,
And last of all his thirst would flake.
For when by chance a spring they met,
The thirsty Souldier (dry with heat)
Constrained was to drinke, then he
The last of all the troope would be
That tooke his share, and did forbeare
Vntill the Scullions serued were.
If great renowne be deemed due
To goodnesse, that is meerely true;
Or if that naked vertues praise
(That wants successe) men rightly waighes;
What euer was so much renown'd,
That in our ancestors was found
Were fortunes gifts, that did abound?
For which of them (for happy Mart)
Could challenge that as their desart?
Or who could claime (as his owne good)
The fame, they wanne with others blood?
But this mans triumph I would more
Desire to follow on this shore
Whereas the Syrts doe dangers threat,
And thorough Lybias parching heate;
Then thrice in Pompeys Carre to wend,
And to the Capitoll ascend:
Or g Iuurths warre to bring to end.
Behold him that true father is
Vnto his Countries cause and blisse.
When Rome may thinke fit to aspire
Vnto her Altars sacred fire.
To honor whom she needs not shame
To sweare and vow by his deere name.
And whom (if euer Rome should see
Her state restor'd from dangers free)
Hereafter him to glorifie
His name she well may deifie.
Now march they through a wretched soyle,
That feruent heates doe parch and broyle.
A clymate neere the torrid zone,
Which heauens wold haue to men vnknown:
Here water rare was to be found,
And yet (amidst this dusty ground)
One fountaine large the Souldiers spide,
Where many Serpents did reside,
So thicke that they the waters hide.
Vpon the brinkes the Aspickes sit,
And in the midst the Dipsa's flit.
And march't a foot himselfe the while
Before his troopes, that panting went;
He shewes them how to be content
To suffer toyle, without constraint;
Since labour could not make him faint.
He is not on their shoulders borne,
A Charret he did hold in scorne.
Small rest and sleepe he vsd to take,
And last of all his thirst would flake.
For when by chance a spring they met,
The thirsty Souldier (dry with heat)
Constrained was to drinke, then he
The last of all the troope would be
That tooke his share, and did forbeare
Vntill the Scullions serued were.
If great renowne be deemed due
To goodnesse, that is meerely true;
Or if that naked vertues praise
(That wants successe) men rightly waighes;
What euer was so much renown'd,
That in our ancestors was found
Were fortunes gifts, that did abound?
For which of them (for happy Mart)
Could challenge that as their desart?
Or who could claime (as his owne good)
The fame, they wanne with others blood?
But this mans triumph I would more
Desire to follow on this shore
Whereas the Syrts doe dangers threat,
And thorough Lybias parching heate;
Then thrice in Pompeys Carre to wend,
390
Or g Iuurths warre to bring to end.
Behold him that true father is
Vnto his Countries cause and blisse.
When Rome may thinke fit to aspire
Vnto her Altars sacred fire.
To honor whom she needs not shame
To sweare and vow by his deere name.
And whom (if euer Rome should see
Her state restor'd from dangers free)
Hereafter him to glorifie
His name she well may deifie.
Now march they through a wretched soyle,
That feruent heates doe parch and broyle.
A clymate neere the torrid zone,
Which heauens wold haue to men vnknown:
Here water rare was to be found,
And yet (amidst this dusty ground)
One fountaine large the Souldiers spide,
Where many Serpents did reside,
So thicke that they the waters hide.
Vpon the brinkes the Aspickes sit,
And in the midst the Dipsa's flit.
When Cato saw his men opprest.
VVith heates, and thirst, this fount detest,
He said, O Souldier (whom vaine feare
Of death, makes thee this spring forbeare)
Thou needst not doubt thy thirst to slake,
These waters safely thou maist take.
The Serpents pest no dangers brings,
Except when as with blood it mings.
His sting from it doth poyson send,
And with his bite doth life offend.
The fountaine holsome is and pure.
So said, he drinkes, them to assure
The water that they poysnous thinke.
But still (before) he vsd to drinke
The last of all, during the time
That they had spent in Lybias clime.
Our care and labour cannot finde
The cause, why Lybia is enclin'd
To aire of such contagious kinde:
Where many plagues abounding swarmes,
Fruitfull in nought but deadly harmes.
Nor yet what secret nature did,
When in that soyle such faults she hid;
Except it be that fabling lye
That ouer all the world doth flye:
The which doth euery age deceiue,
When for a truth they it receiue.
VVith heates, and thirst, this fount detest,
He said, O Souldier (whom vaine feare
Of death, makes thee this spring forbeare)
Thou needst not doubt thy thirst to slake,
These waters safely thou maist take.
The Serpents pest no dangers brings,
Except when as with blood it mings.
His sting from it doth poyson send,
And with his bite doth life offend.
The fountaine holsome is and pure.
So said, he drinkes, them to assure
The water that they poysnous thinke.
But still (before) he vsd to drinke
The last of all, during the time
That they had spent in Lybias clime.
Our care and labour cannot finde
391
To aire of such contagious kinde:
Where many plagues abounding swarmes,
Fruitfull in nought but deadly harmes.
Nor yet what secret nature did,
When in that soyle such faults she hid;
Except it be that fabling lye
That ouer all the world doth flye:
The which doth euery age deceiue,
When for a truth they it receiue.
In the extreames of Lybias soyle,
Wheras the ground with heat doth broyle;
And where the Ocean it confines,
Warm'd with the Sunne when he declines.
Those fields and Countries all abrode
With foule Medusas filth was strode.
No greene-leau'd woods did yeeld a shade,
Nor Coulters there had furrowes made.
But (with their Mistresse balefull eyes)
There onely stones and rockes did rise.
Hence hurtfull nature first drew seedes,
That mortall plagues in bodies breedes.
About her eares there dangling hung
The hissing snakes, with stinging tongue;
Which (like a tresse) her backe behinde
Did spred, as haire of women kinde.
And, whilst about her necke they crawle,
The fell Medusa ioy'd withall.
Then all their heads, vp-right in ranke,
Her brow did like a frontlet pranke;
But when she comb'd her crawling crowne,
The viprous venome trailed downe.
“Cursed Medusa taxlesse pries
“On whom she list, with fatall eyes:
“For who can feare this monsters face,
“VVhen to dread death they haue no space?
“For where her ghastly looke she bends,
“They are trans-form'd before their ends.
“And rap't away from doubtfull fate,
“Preuenting feare before their date.
“The bodies metamorphosed
“Retaine the spirits captiued,
“And (buried so within the bones)
“Turne stupid, like to sencelesse stones.
The Furies (with their gastly haires)
Did onely stirre vp franticke feares:
And Cerberus (that hellish hound)
Orphæus calm'd with musicke sound.
And Hydra, Hercules beheld,
When he that vgly Serpent queld;
But this vile monster did affright
Phorcus her father with her sight.
Phorcus that next doth rule and raigne
To Neptune on the raging maine.
Ceto her mother, with her looke,
She scarres; her sisters cannot brooke
Her vgly sight: the seas and skies
She can make stone with her sterne eyes.
She vttterly can raze from earth
The worlds whole race of humane birth.
Amidst the aire (from lofty flight)
The winged fowles do fall downe-right.
The wilde beasts, and the horned Harts,
She into craggie rockes conuarts.
And all the people in the scope
That bounds next vnto Æthiope,
She hath transform'd (from flesh and bones)
Into hard rugged Marble stones.
No creatures can her sight abide,
Her hairy snakes behinde her hide,
And will not of her eyes be spy'd.
The mighty Atlas (Tytans sonne)
That by Hesperian straights did wonne,
She turn'd into a hugie rocke.
The Gyants of Phlæagræan flocke,
(That with their Serpents feet sometime,
Did striue into the heauens to clime)
She lofty mountaines of them fram'd;
Whereby that Gyants warre was tam'd,
When Pallas in her shield did place
This grisly Gorgons hideous face.
Wheras the ground with heat doth broyle;
And where the Ocean it confines,
Warm'd with the Sunne when he declines.
Those fields and Countries all abrode
With foule Medusas filth was strode.
No greene-leau'd woods did yeeld a shade,
Nor Coulters there had furrowes made.
But (with their Mistresse balefull eyes)
There onely stones and rockes did rise.
Hence hurtfull nature first drew seedes,
That mortall plagues in bodies breedes.
About her eares there dangling hung
The hissing snakes, with stinging tongue;
Which (like a tresse) her backe behinde
Did spred, as haire of women kinde.
And, whilst about her necke they crawle,
The fell Medusa ioy'd withall.
Then all their heads, vp-right in ranke,
Her brow did like a frontlet pranke;
But when she comb'd her crawling crowne,
The viprous venome trailed downe.
“Cursed Medusa taxlesse pries
“On whom she list, with fatall eyes:
“For who can feare this monsters face,
“VVhen to dread death they haue no space?
“For where her ghastly looke she bends,
“They are trans-form'd before their ends.
“And rap't away from doubtfull fate,
“Preuenting feare before their date.
392
“Retaine the spirits captiued,
“And (buried so within the bones)
“Turne stupid, like to sencelesse stones.
The Furies (with their gastly haires)
Did onely stirre vp franticke feares:
And Cerberus (that hellish hound)
Orphæus calm'd with musicke sound.
And Hydra, Hercules beheld,
When he that vgly Serpent queld;
But this vile monster did affright
Phorcus her father with her sight.
Phorcus that next doth rule and raigne
To Neptune on the raging maine.
Ceto her mother, with her looke,
She scarres; her sisters cannot brooke
Her vgly sight: the seas and skies
She can make stone with her sterne eyes.
She vttterly can raze from earth
The worlds whole race of humane birth.
Amidst the aire (from lofty flight)
The winged fowles do fall downe-right.
The wilde beasts, and the horned Harts,
She into craggie rockes conuarts.
And all the people in the scope
That bounds next vnto Æthiope,
She hath transform'd (from flesh and bones)
Into hard rugged Marble stones.
No creatures can her sight abide,
Her hairy snakes behinde her hide,
And will not of her eyes be spy'd.
The mighty Atlas (Tytans sonne)
That by Hesperian straights did wonne,
She turn'd into a hugie rocke.
The Gyants of Phlæagræan flocke,
(That with their Serpents feet sometime,
Did striue into the heauens to clime)
She lofty mountaines of them fram'd;
Whereby that Gyants warre was tam'd,
When Pallas in her shield did place
391
Now after that Mercurius wings
(The first concorder of those strings,
That on th' Arcadian harpe doe sound,
And first likewise that wrestling found)
Had Perseus borne vnto this place,
(That tooke from Danae his race
When Ioue, trans-form'd to golden showre,
Into her lap himselfe did powre;)
He tooke vnto him speedily
The trenchant glaine of Mercurie:
That glaine embrued with the staine
Of hundred-eyed Argus slaine,
The watch-man of that haifer white,
That did Ioues fancy so delight.
Then Pallas (that same martiall maide)
Did giue her winged brother aid,
Whereby this Gorgons head to gaine;
And charged him his flight to straine
Toward Lybissas vtmost land:
But that his looke should Eastward stand.
And, flying, hold a westward race,
When he through Gorgons realme did trace.
Then on his left arme she did binde
Her brazen Targe, that brightly shin'd:
And bids him so the same direct,
That vpon it there might reflect
Medusas stone-creating eyes:
Which heauy sleepe should so surprise,
And rap't her sences chiefest strength,
To bring dire death on her at length.
But yet part of her snakie tresse
This slumber could not so oppresse;
But that some serpents stood an end,
And did her dulled head defend,
Whilst some her face did ouer-spred,
And vail'd her eyes in darknesse bed.
Then Pallas lent her powerfull charme
To fearfull Perseus trembling arme:
And did his fauchion Harpe guide,
That ready was to turne aside;
Wherewith he straight in sunder smoat
Her spatious snake-bearing throat.
What face had Gorgon then I wonder,
When that her necke was cut a sunder
With that same crooked wounding blade?
What poyson did her gorge vnlade?
How many deaths from her eyes streames?
Pallas could not endure those gleames:
Nor Perseus (though he turn'd aside)
Had scap't from being stonifi'd,
If Pallas had not (with her Targe)
Her feltred lockes disperst at large,
And so be-clouded all her face
With Snakes, that ouer it did trace.
(The first concorder of those strings,
That on th' Arcadian harpe doe sound,
And first likewise that wrestling found)
Had Perseus borne vnto this place,
(That tooke from Danae his race
When Ioue, trans-form'd to golden showre,
Into her lap himselfe did powre;)
He tooke vnto him speedily
The trenchant glaine of Mercurie:
That glaine embrued with the staine
Of hundred-eyed Argus slaine,
The watch-man of that haifer white,
That did Ioues fancy so delight.
Then Pallas (that same martiall maide)
Did giue her winged brother aid,
Whereby this Gorgons head to gaine;
And charged him his flight to straine
Toward Lybissas vtmost land:
But that his looke should Eastward stand.
And, flying, hold a westward race,
When he through Gorgons realme did trace.
Then on his left arme she did binde
Her brazen Targe, that brightly shin'd:
And bids him so the same direct,
That vpon it there might reflect
Medusas stone-creating eyes:
Which heauy sleepe should so surprise,
And rap't her sences chiefest strength,
To bring dire death on her at length.
But yet part of her snakie tresse
This slumber could not so oppresse;
But that some serpents stood an end,
And did her dulled head defend,
Whilst some her face did ouer-spred,
And vail'd her eyes in darknesse bed.
Then Pallas lent her powerfull charme
To fearfull Perseus trembling arme:
And did his fauchion Harpe guide,
394
Wherewith he straight in sunder smoat
Her spatious snake-bearing throat.
What face had Gorgon then I wonder,
When that her necke was cut a sunder
With that same crooked wounding blade?
What poyson did her gorge vnlade?
How many deaths from her eyes streames?
Pallas could not endure those gleames:
Nor Perseus (though he turn'd aside)
Had scap't from being stonifi'd,
If Pallas had not (with her Targe)
Her feltred lockes disperst at large,
And so be-clouded all her face
With Snakes, that ouer it did trace.
The winged Perseus (being sped
With this fell Gorgons vgly head)
Did minde to heauen to make repaire,
And cuts the region of the aire:
But (lest through Europes Clyme he might,
With dammage to those coasts, take flight)
Pallas enioyn'd him, with her hest,
That fruitfull soyle not to infest;
Nor yet that people to molest.
For who would not admire the skies,
When through them such a wonder flies?
From Zephyrus he turnes his wings,
And ouer Lybia's coasts he flings:
Where was nor graine nor tillage vsd,
But all with Phœbus flames enfusd.
For there the Heauens and Tytans steedes
Burnt all, so that no greene it breedes.
And no land in the earth doth rise
(With mighty shade) more neere the skies
Nor Cinthia's light doth more surprise:
If that (forgetfull of her way)
From the right signes she trend astray.
For that high land casts neuer shade
Vnto the South, or Northerne glade;
And yet it is a barren ground,
Wherein no goodnesse can be found.
But now it was with poysons fed,
That drop't downe from Medusa's head.
And those vilde dewes corrupt the fields,
That her invenom'd sanguine yeelds.
The which the heates more noysome makes,
When in the putred sands it bakes.
With this fell Gorgons vgly head)
Did minde to heauen to make repaire,
And cuts the region of the aire:
But (lest through Europes Clyme he might,
With dammage to those coasts, take flight)
Pallas enioyn'd him, with her hest,
That fruitfull soyle not to infest;
Nor yet that people to molest.
For who would not admire the skies,
When through them such a wonder flies?
From Zephyrus he turnes his wings,
And ouer Lybia's coasts he flings:
Where was nor graine nor tillage vsd,
But all with Phœbus flames enfusd.
For there the Heauens and Tytans steedes
Burnt all, so that no greene it breedes.
And no land in the earth doth rise
(With mighty shade) more neere the skies
Nor Cinthia's light doth more surprise:
If that (forgetfull of her way)
From the right signes she trend astray.
For that high land casts neuer shade
Vnto the South, or Northerne glade;
And yet it is a barren ground,
395
But now it was with poysons fed,
That drop't downe from Medusa's head.
And those vilde dewes corrupt the fields,
That her invenom'd sanguine yeelds.
The which the heates more noysome makes,
When in the putred sands it bakes.
The first corruption that arose,
And in the dust his head out-showes,
The Aspicke was; that brings dead sleepe,
And with a swelling necke doth creepe.
With Gorgons blood he was repleate,
The clottred poysons in him fret.
No serpent is more poysonous,
Nor in extreame more frigidous;
Who (wanting warmth) doth alwayes shun
The Clymes remoter from the Sunne.
And all alongst the bankes of Nyle
Those sands he likewise doth defile.
But how great shame to vs acrues
(Whom couetise doth so abuse)
That we from Affricke do not spare
To marchandize that noysome ware?
Here also doth that hugie beast
(Hæmorrhois) raise vp his crest.
And whom he stings, from out the vaines
All the life-feeding blood hee draines.
Then the Chersydros double kinde,
That in the sholes of Syrts are shrin'd.
And the Chelydri in their dennes
Amongst the muddy steaming fennes.
And Cenchris alwayes when he slides,
(Not wriggling) straight his passage guides.
Whose speckled body (full of staines)
More diuers colours still retaines,
Then are the Theban marble vaines.
And the Ammodites, whose hue
From parched sands men hardly knew.
And the Ceraste roming wide,
Whose winding backe each way can glide.
And Scytale, that winter-worme,
That in cold dewes doth make his furme:
And in that season casts his coate.
Then Dipsas, that is all as hot.
Amphisibena, harmfull fiend,
That hath a head at either end.
The Water-snake, that felly stings,
And Darting Serpents, that haue wings.
And Pharias, that doth not traile,
But euer goes vpon his taile.
And greedy Præster, that all rapes,
Whose frothy Iawes such widenesse gapes.
VVith Seps, that in contagion swelts,
And very bones with bodies melts.
Then that same Basiliske, whose hisse
Vnto all Serpents fearfull is:
So as from him they flye or hide,
And come not where he doth reside.
Hee lethall is before he sting,
His hissing deadly harme doth bring:
Sole in the sands he raignes as King.
And torrid Affricke likewise breedes
Those plaguie Dragons, that exceedes
For mischiefe, in most cruell kinde,
VVhich other nations neuer finde.
VVhose scalie backes doe shine like gold;
And when aloft their flight they hold,
(Amidst the aire with stretched wings)
The heards of cattell clustring thrings.
For mighty Bulles become their pray,
That in their tailes they sweepe away.
Huge Elephants scape not their pawes:
All things to death their fury drawes:
So as no poysnous humor needes
To act the mischiefe of their deeds.
And in the dust his head out-showes,
The Aspicke was; that brings dead sleepe,
And with a swelling necke doth creepe.
With Gorgons blood he was repleate,
The clottred poysons in him fret.
No serpent is more poysonous,
Nor in extreame more frigidous;
Who (wanting warmth) doth alwayes shun
The Clymes remoter from the Sunne.
And all alongst the bankes of Nyle
Those sands he likewise doth defile.
But how great shame to vs acrues
(Whom couetise doth so abuse)
That we from Affricke do not spare
To marchandize that noysome ware?
Here also doth that hugie beast
(Hæmorrhois) raise vp his crest.
And whom he stings, from out the vaines
All the life-feeding blood hee draines.
Then the Chersydros double kinde,
That in the sholes of Syrts are shrin'd.
And the Chelydri in their dennes
Amongst the muddy steaming fennes.
And Cenchris alwayes when he slides,
(Not wriggling) straight his passage guides.
Whose speckled body (full of staines)
More diuers colours still retaines,
Then are the Theban marble vaines.
And the Ammodites, whose hue
From parched sands men hardly knew.
And the Ceraste roming wide,
Whose winding backe each way can glide.
396
That in cold dewes doth make his furme:
And in that season casts his coate.
Then Dipsas, that is all as hot.
Amphisibena, harmfull fiend,
That hath a head at either end.
The Water-snake, that felly stings,
And Darting Serpents, that haue wings.
And Pharias, that doth not traile,
But euer goes vpon his taile.
And greedy Præster, that all rapes,
Whose frothy Iawes such widenesse gapes.
VVith Seps, that in contagion swelts,
And very bones with bodies melts.
Then that same Basiliske, whose hisse
Vnto all Serpents fearfull is:
So as from him they flye or hide,
And come not where he doth reside.
Hee lethall is before he sting,
His hissing deadly harme doth bring:
Sole in the sands he raignes as King.
And torrid Affricke likewise breedes
Those plaguie Dragons, that exceedes
For mischiefe, in most cruell kinde,
VVhich other nations neuer finde.
VVhose scalie backes doe shine like gold;
And when aloft their flight they hold,
(Amidst the aire with stretched wings)
The heards of cattell clustring thrings.
For mighty Bulles become their pray,
That in their tailes they sweepe away.
Huge Elephants scape not their pawes:
All things to death their fury drawes:
So as no poysnous humor needes
To act the mischiefe of their deeds.
Cato (with his stout martiall bands)
Doth march alongst these parched sands
That do such mortall poysons yeeld;
And there with griefe he oft beheld
The vncoth deaths, that so abounds,
Amongst his troops of little wounds.
The Serpent Dipsas turnes his head
On Aulus, that on him did tread,
And bites this youth of Tyrrhen race,
That held an Ensigne-bearers place.
He scarcely any whit was paind,
Nor any signe of bite remaind.
Within his lookes no death appeard,
Nor threatning danger to be feard.
But yet the secret poyson workes:
The fire within the marrow lurkes:
And suddenly the venome heates,
Whilst burning gripes his bowels freats.
This pestilence dispersed sinks,
And all the vitall humours drinks.
His pallat and his iaws grow drie;
His tongue with scorching drought did frie:
His wearie lims (with labouring heate)
Did not as earst yeeld moistie sweate.
No teares at all fall from his eyes.
All moisture from the poyson flies.
No reu'rence of the Empires awe,
Nor Stoicke Catos martiall law,
Could this incensed man affray:
But he his Ensignes would display,
And all about the fields did raue,
Seeking where he might water haue,
The which his thirsty heart did craue.
Had he beene into Tanais cast,
Or Rhodanus that runs so fast,
Or into Poe that spreads so vast,
Or into Nylus, that doth range
Alongst so many countries strange;
And of all these had soakt his fill:
Yet would his lights haue burned still
The fury of the parched ground
Did make his deadly drought abound,
And adde more deaths to Lybias blame,
But doth detract from Dipsas fame,
As not from her that all this came.
He now at last the sands doth trie,
Where any filthie puddles lie.
And then vnto the Syrtes returnes,
And bathes in floods his mouth that burnes.
The stoare of waues did him delight:
Yet nought asswag'd his thirstie plight.
His kind of griefe he nothing knowes,
Nor that his bale from poyson flowes.
He thinks thirst onely his disease,
The which the better to appease,
With his owne sword he cuts his vaines,
And with the blood his mouth he baines.
Doth march alongst these parched sands
That do such mortall poysons yeeld;
And there with griefe he oft beheld
The vncoth deaths, that so abounds,
397
The Serpent Dipsas turnes his head
On Aulus, that on him did tread,
And bites this youth of Tyrrhen race,
That held an Ensigne-bearers place.
He scarcely any whit was paind,
Nor any signe of bite remaind.
Within his lookes no death appeard,
Nor threatning danger to be feard.
But yet the secret poyson workes:
The fire within the marrow lurkes:
And suddenly the venome heates,
Whilst burning gripes his bowels freats.
This pestilence dispersed sinks,
And all the vitall humours drinks.
His pallat and his iaws grow drie;
His tongue with scorching drought did frie:
His wearie lims (with labouring heate)
Did not as earst yeeld moistie sweate.
No teares at all fall from his eyes.
All moisture from the poyson flies.
No reu'rence of the Empires awe,
Nor Stoicke Catos martiall law,
Could this incensed man affray:
But he his Ensignes would display,
And all about the fields did raue,
Seeking where he might water haue,
The which his thirsty heart did craue.
Had he beene into Tanais cast,
Or Rhodanus that runs so fast,
Or into Poe that spreads so vast,
Or into Nylus, that doth range
Alongst so many countries strange;
And of all these had soakt his fill:
Yet would his lights haue burned still
The fury of the parched ground
Did make his deadly drought abound,
And adde more deaths to Lybias blame,
But doth detract from Dipsas fame,
As not from her that all this came.
398
Where any filthie puddles lie.
And then vnto the Syrtes returnes,
And bathes in floods his mouth that burnes.
The stoare of waues did him delight:
Yet nought asswag'd his thirstie plight.
His kind of griefe he nothing knowes,
Nor that his bale from poyson flowes.
He thinks thirst onely his disease,
The which the better to appease,
With his owne sword he cuts his vaines,
And with the blood his mouth he baines.
Cato forthwith commanded than
To take the ensigne from this man.
And so twas handled that none durst
To say this sickenesse came of thurst,
But straight againe another dies
More grieuously before their eyes.
For loe a little Seps their lights
On poore Sabellus thigh and bites:
Who with his hand away did plucke
This worme, that by the teeth then stucke.
And with his pyle, that he did beare,
Vnto the ground he naild it there.
A little Serpent tis God knowes,
But whence most cruell poyson flowes,
And none doth bring more deadly throes.
For all about (where he had bit)
The skin and flesh away did flit:
So as the bone all bared lay,
The carkasse likewise melts away.
One naked wound all did display.
His members all with venome swell:
His brawnie calues then from him fell:
The synews of his hams were reft:
No skin or flesh about them left:
The verie muskles of his thighs
Did rotting drop away likewise:
His flancks to blacke corruption turnd:
The midriffe shriueled vp and burnd:
So as his bowels burst withall,
And yet the body did not fall
Together, to the ground at once:
But by peace-meale dropt from the bones.
Thus (with a little poysned bite)
Death suddenly all parts did smite.
The venome had such ample scope,
That nerues and sinews it laies ope.
The ribs it did vncouer quite:
The hollow brest it rots outright.
The vitall veines that feed the heart,
And what else was of this mans part,
That Nature gaue, when he tooke breath,
Abandond lay to this strange death.
His shoulders drop, and his strong armes,
His necke and head receiue like harmes.
The thawing snow melts not more fast,
That feels the warmth of Southerne blast:
Nor yet the waxe against the Sun
Doth to more liquid humors run.
But this is nothing that I say
That poisons heate melts flesh away:
The fire can shew the selfe same power,
But what flame so can bones deuoure?
For heare euen as the marrow melts,
The bones likewise consuming swelts.
It suffers no signes to remaine.
A rapting fate so all doth straine.
Of all the plagues (that Affricke tries)
Thy selfe alone shalt haue the prize.
The rest do bring but life to end:
But thou both life and bones dost spend.
And now behold another kind
Of swelling death, they likewise find.
The firie Prester (with his sting)
Nasidius to his end doth bring.
Nasidius that (with his plough shares)
The Marsian fields for graines prepares.
His face is colourd furie red:
His puft swolne skin at large is spred.
All forme and shape his lookes hath lost
The tumor so his corps imbost.
And so his veins the poyson feeds,
That human measure he exceeds.
One lumpe doth all his parts confound,
Within a formelesse body dround.
His habbergon was not of space,
His swollen carkasse to embrace.
The boyling caudrons frothy scum,
Doth not in bubbles rise so plum;
Nor yet the saile doth swell so vast,
When it is puft with windy blast.
The mishapt corps could scarce containe
The lims, that so with swelling straine.
And that same trunks confused heft,
They durst not to the funerall weft,
But to the foules vntoucht it left,
And for a pray vnto wild beasts,
If thereon they durst make their feasts.
For now the swelling corps they leaue,
Before the fulnesse it receaue.
To take the ensigne from this man.
And so twas handled that none durst
To say this sickenesse came of thurst,
But straight againe another dies
More grieuously before their eyes.
For loe a little Seps their lights
On poore Sabellus thigh and bites:
Who with his hand away did plucke
This worme, that by the teeth then stucke.
And with his pyle, that he did beare,
Vnto the ground he naild it there.
A little Serpent tis God knowes,
But whence most cruell poyson flowes,
And none doth bring more deadly throes.
For all about (where he had bit)
The skin and flesh away did flit:
So as the bone all bared lay,
The carkasse likewise melts away.
One naked wound all did display.
His members all with venome swell:
His brawnie calues then from him fell:
The synews of his hams were reft:
No skin or flesh about them left:
The verie muskles of his thighs
Did rotting drop away likewise:
His flancks to blacke corruption turnd:
The midriffe shriueled vp and burnd:
399
And yet the body did not fall
Together, to the ground at once:
But by peace-meale dropt from the bones.
Thus (with a little poysned bite)
Death suddenly all parts did smite.
The venome had such ample scope,
That nerues and sinews it laies ope.
The ribs it did vncouer quite:
The hollow brest it rots outright.
The vitall veines that feed the heart,
And what else was of this mans part,
That Nature gaue, when he tooke breath,
Abandond lay to this strange death.
His shoulders drop, and his strong armes,
His necke and head receiue like harmes.
The thawing snow melts not more fast,
That feels the warmth of Southerne blast:
Nor yet the waxe against the Sun
Doth to more liquid humors run.
But this is nothing that I say
That poisons heate melts flesh away:
The fire can shew the selfe same power,
But what flame so can bones deuoure?
For heare euen as the marrow melts,
The bones likewise consuming swelts.
It suffers no signes to remaine.
A rapting fate so all doth straine.
Of all the plagues (that Affricke tries)
Thy selfe alone shalt haue the prize.
The rest do bring but life to end:
But thou both life and bones dost spend.
And now behold another kind
Of swelling death, they likewise find.
The firie Prester (with his sting)
Nasidius to his end doth bring.
Nasidius that (with his plough shares)
The Marsian fields for graines prepares.
His face is colourd furie red:
His puft swolne skin at large is spred.
400
The tumor so his corps imbost.
And so his veins the poyson feeds,
That human measure he exceeds.
One lumpe doth all his parts confound,
Within a formelesse body dround.
His habbergon was not of space,
His swollen carkasse to embrace.
The boyling caudrons frothy scum,
Doth not in bubbles rise so plum;
Nor yet the saile doth swell so vast,
When it is puft with windy blast.
The mishapt corps could scarce containe
The lims, that so with swelling straine.
And that same trunks confused heft,
They durst not to the funerall weft,
But to the foules vntoucht it left,
And for a pray vnto wild beasts,
If thereon they durst make their feasts.
For now the swelling corps they leaue,
Before the fulnesse it receaue.
But spectacles of more dismay
The Lybian poysons yet display.
The sharpe Hemorrhois hath imprest
His venom'd teeth, that did infest
Tullus, that noble hopefull youth,
A follower of Catos truth.
And as we seethe Saffron staine
The cloth, through which the same we straine
So did this poysons ruddy taint
(Like blood)) his body all depaint.
The teares (that from his eyes then fell)
Were drops of blood, wherewith they swell.
And all the passages besides,
Through which the bodies humour slides,
Huge streams of blood by those vents flowes,
So from his mouth, and from his nose,
He liquid blood doth likewise sweate,
Wherewith his members were repleate,
That through the swelling veins did freate.
And so his bleeding did abound,
That all his body was one wound.
The Lybian poysons yet display.
The sharpe Hemorrhois hath imprest
His venom'd teeth, that did infest
Tullus, that noble hopefull youth,
A follower of Catos truth.
And as we seethe Saffron staine
The cloth, through which the same we straine
So did this poysons ruddy taint
(Like blood)) his body all depaint.
The teares (that from his eyes then fell)
Were drops of blood, wherewith they swell.
And all the passages besides,
Through which the bodies humour slides,
Huge streams of blood by those vents flowes,
So from his mouth, and from his nose,
He liquid blood doth likewise sweate,
Wherewith his members were repleate,
That through the swelling veins did freate.
401
That all his body was one wound.
But on thee (Leua) wretched wight
The Nylus serpents rage did light.
Whose poyson fixt remedilesse,
The heart root strings did so oppesse,
That of his bite no paine was felt,
Yet suddenly in death didst swelt,
And in a slumber tookst thy end,
And so to Stygian shades discend.
The poyson gathered vnawares,
(That fatall Sabeas so prepares,
When they a harmefull twig do chuse
For francumcense, which they would vse)
Doth not with that strong potion
Hast death with so swift motion.
But now behold from farre doth flee
(Out of a hollow withered tree)
A cruell serpent, like a flight,
That deeply wounds where it doth light.
And (whirling with a courage fierce)
Through Paulus temples it did pierce.
A Iaculum they do it call,
It poysons not the part withall;
But whomsoeuer that it wounds,
There present death the life confounds.
By this experience we may know,
That vnto this a sling is slow,
And (in compare how this doth pierce)
The Scythian shaft flies not so fierce.
The Nylus serpents rage did light.
Whose poyson fixt remedilesse,
The heart root strings did so oppesse,
That of his bite no paine was felt,
Yet suddenly in death didst swelt,
And in a slumber tookst thy end,
And so to Stygian shades discend.
The poyson gathered vnawares,
(That fatall Sabeas so prepares,
When they a harmefull twig do chuse
For francumcense, which they would vse)
Doth not with that strong potion
Hast death with so swift motion.
But now behold from farre doth flee
(Out of a hollow withered tree)
A cruell serpent, like a flight,
That deeply wounds where it doth light.
And (whirling with a courage fierce)
Through Paulus temples it did pierce.
A Iaculum they do it call,
It poysons not the part withall;
But whomsoeuer that it wounds,
There present death the life confounds.
By this experience we may know,
That vnto this a sling is slow,
And (in compare how this doth pierce)
The Scythian shaft flies not so fierce.
What helpe at all doth it aduance,
That Murrus hath (with his sharpe lance)
The Basiliske pierc't thorow quite;
When as the deadly venoms might
Alongst the lance so fast doth creepe,
That it within his hands doth steepe?
Which he lifts vp finding the harme,
And instantly cuts off his arme
With his owne sword, which fell to ground.
And he by this experience found
(The hand cut off that he endures)
His life thereby to him assures.
But who would thinke the Scorpions sting
Had such like force in poysoning,
And present death with it could bring?
He cruell is in deadly bites,
And mortally his taile he smites.
The which the heauens themselues explaine,
In honor of Orion slaine.
Or who would doubt that earth to treade,
Where thou Salpuga mak'st thy bed?
And yet the fatall sisters three
No little power haue giuen to thee,
Our vitall twists to shred in twaine,
By force of thy strange poysnous vaine.
That Murrus hath (with his sharpe lance)
The Basiliske pierc't thorow quite;
When as the deadly venoms might
Alongst the lance so fast doth creepe,
That it within his hands doth steepe?
Which he lifts vp finding the harme,
And instantly cuts off his arme
With his owne sword, which fell to ground.
And he by this experience found
402
His life thereby to him assures.
But who would thinke the Scorpions sting
Had such like force in poysoning,
And present death with it could bring?
He cruell is in deadly bites,
And mortally his taile he smites.
The which the heauens themselues explaine,
In honor of Orion slaine.
Or who would doubt that earth to treade,
Where thou Salpuga mak'st thy bed?
And yet the fatall sisters three
No little power haue giuen to thee,
Our vitall twists to shred in twaine,
By force of thy strange poysnous vaine.
Thus neither by the dayes faire light,
Could they find rest, nor in darke night.
These wretched men were still in dread,
Vpon what ground to rest or tread.
For neither heapes of leaues they take,
Nor bundled reeds their beds to make:
But euen as men, to fates exposd,
Vpon the bared ground reposd:
And to the vapors, that do rise
Where their warme bodies heaped lies,
The chilly serpents do repaire
(Offended with the nights cold aire.)
Amongst their lims their skins they warme
And all that while they do no harme.
The cold dew doth their venome charme.
Meane while the souldiers do not know
What wayes to seeke, or where to go.
But are directed by the skies,
And in this maze powre out their cries.
O Gods (say they) let vs be led
Vnto the field, from which we fled.
Bring vs againe to Thessalie:
Our hands to armes we destinie.
Why languish we in miserie?
The Dipsaes here for Cæsar fight,
And the Cærastes plead his right.
Alongst the torrid zoane we run,
And clymates burned with the Sun.
We are well pleasd (in our dispaire)
To lay the blame vpon the aire.
And then against the heauens to crie,
As destin'd in this soyle to die.
But, Affricke, we accuse thee not,
Nor nature with this fault do blot.
Thou hast this hatefull soyle designd
To serpents of a monstrous kind.
And therefore hence it first did chace
All meanes to nourish humane race.
This earth thou barren didst ordaine,
Vnfit for tillage or for graine.
And in this sort thou didst decree
That men from poysons should be free.
But we take vp the Serpents roomes,
For which we haue these heauy doomes.
And thou ô God who so thou art,
That dost dislike of this our mart,
(Thereby to make our errour knowne)
On this side setst the torrid zoane:
And on the other side dost place
The marine Syrts, with doubtfull race:
And in the midst this noysome coast,
Where we by sundry deaths are lost.
Could they find rest, nor in darke night.
These wretched men were still in dread,
Vpon what ground to rest or tread.
For neither heapes of leaues they take,
Nor bundled reeds their beds to make:
But euen as men, to fates exposd,
Vpon the bared ground reposd:
And to the vapors, that do rise
Where their warme bodies heaped lies,
The chilly serpents do repaire
(Offended with the nights cold aire.)
Amongst their lims their skins they warme
And all that while they do no harme.
The cold dew doth their venome charme.
Meane while the souldiers do not know
What wayes to seeke, or where to go.
But are directed by the skies,
And in this maze powre out their cries.
O Gods (say they) let vs be led
Vnto the field, from which we fled.
Bring vs againe to Thessalie:
Our hands to armes we destinie.
Why languish we in miserie?
The Dipsaes here for Cæsar fight,
403
Alongst the torrid zoane we run,
And clymates burned with the Sun.
We are well pleasd (in our dispaire)
To lay the blame vpon the aire.
And then against the heauens to crie,
As destin'd in this soyle to die.
But, Affricke, we accuse thee not,
Nor nature with this fault do blot.
Thou hast this hatefull soyle designd
To serpents of a monstrous kind.
And therefore hence it first did chace
All meanes to nourish humane race.
This earth thou barren didst ordaine,
Vnfit for tillage or for graine.
And in this sort thou didst decree
That men from poysons should be free.
But we take vp the Serpents roomes,
For which we haue these heauy doomes.
And thou ô God who so thou art,
That dost dislike of this our mart,
(Thereby to make our errour knowne)
On this side setst the torrid zoane:
And on the other side dost place
The marine Syrts, with doubtfull race:
And in the midst this noysome coast,
Where we by sundry deaths are lost.
The ciuill warre his armes displaies
Alongst these desart vncouth waies;
And now the souldiers well are taught,
What miseries the heauens haue wrought.
The worlds deepe secrets they haue sought
But now, perhaps, some things more strange
They yet may meet where they will range.
For there the Sun fals in the Seas,
And, hissing, doth his flames appease:
And there the nature of the Poles
(Opprest to seeming) downward rolles.
But no land further doth extend
Vnto the West where this doth end.
But Iubas realme, whose fatall name
To vs is onely knowne by fame.
There we shall seeke and chance to finde
Lands, breeding serpents of this kinde.
This comforts yet the heauens do giue,
That in this soyle some of vs liue.
We do not wish nor yet desire
To our owne countrey to retire.
Europe nor Asia we affect,
Where other stars lend their aspect.
But Affricke where haue we thee lost!
Vnder what skie or in what cost!
Art thou obscured from our host?
For but euen now the winters cold
We found vpon Cyrenis mold.
Is so much the yeares season chang'd
In this small way, that we haue rang'd?
We crosse this Axle of the world,
And with the sphere about are whorld:
And now againe we turne our backe
Once more vnto the Southerne racke.
So as, perhaps, the Roman land
Iust vnderneath our feet doth doth stand.
This onely comfort fate vs grant,
That our foes seeke vs where we hant,
That Cæfar (ere this warre be done)
May follow on where we haue run.
Such wofull plaints remedilesse
Their suffring patience did expresse.
But that their captaines noble heart
Made them all pains take in good part.
The bared sands was still his bowre;
He tempted Fortune euery howre.
In all assayes he still made one,
And runs when he is cald vpon.
His worthie carriage comfort gaue,
To souldiers, readie for their graue.
And more then health did them reuiue,
For they in greatest pangs would striue
To hide their plaints and death defie,
As long as he was present by.
What power on him had any griefe,
That so to others gaue reliefe?
Whilst he lookt on his men he taught
The greatest woes to set at nought.
Alongst these desart vncouth waies;
And now the souldiers well are taught,
What miseries the heauens haue wrought.
The worlds deepe secrets they haue sought
But now, perhaps, some things more strange
They yet may meet where they will range.
For there the Sun fals in the Seas,
And, hissing, doth his flames appease:
And there the nature of the Poles
(Opprest to seeming) downward rolles.
But no land further doth extend
Vnto the West where this doth end.
404
To vs is onely knowne by fame.
There we shall seeke and chance to finde
Lands, breeding serpents of this kinde.
This comforts yet the heauens do giue,
That in this soyle some of vs liue.
We do not wish nor yet desire
To our owne countrey to retire.
Europe nor Asia we affect,
Where other stars lend their aspect.
But Affricke where haue we thee lost!
Vnder what skie or in what cost!
Art thou obscured from our host?
For but euen now the winters cold
We found vpon Cyrenis mold.
Is so much the yeares season chang'd
In this small way, that we haue rang'd?
We crosse this Axle of the world,
And with the sphere about are whorld:
And now againe we turne our backe
Once more vnto the Southerne racke.
So as, perhaps, the Roman land
Iust vnderneath our feet doth doth stand.
This onely comfort fate vs grant,
That our foes seeke vs where we hant,
That Cæfar (ere this warre be done)
May follow on where we haue run.
Such wofull plaints remedilesse
Their suffring patience did expresse.
But that their captaines noble heart
Made them all pains take in good part.
The bared sands was still his bowre;
He tempted Fortune euery howre.
In all assayes he still made one,
And runs when he is cald vpon.
His worthie carriage comfort gaue,
To souldiers, readie for their graue.
And more then health did them reuiue,
For they in greatest pangs would striue
To hide their plaints and death defie,
405
What power on him had any griefe,
That so to others gaue reliefe?
Whilst he lookt on his men he taught
The greatest woes to set at nought.
Fortune (that wearie was almost
With plaguing of this wretched hoast)
A little tast of comfort giues
And them at last (though late) releeues.
A people in the world there be,
That are from serpents poyson free.
Marmarida that land is nam'd:
Psilli the people, that haue fram'd
Their tongues all venoms rage to dead,
As well as hearbs, that earth hath bred.
No poysons force can be enfusd
Into their blood, though no charms vsd.
The place (by nature) doth prouide,
That safe mongst serpents they recide.
It profits them to leade their life
In soyles, where serpents are so rife.
With them death seldome is at strife.
Their blood so poyson houlds in scorne,
That when a childe is newly borne,
They vse this meanes wherewith to trie
If it be free from Bastardie.
By prouing of the Aspicks byte,
To know where it be false or right.
And as Ioues Eagle scans the doubt
Of those warme egs the dam brings out
By taking his vnplumed race,
And them against the Sun doth place,
And those that can (with constant eye)
Behold the beames assuredly,
And will not twinckle at the light,
When Tytan shewes his face most bright,
As his owne breed those he affects:
But euery wincking squall reiects.
Such triall doth the Psiilli make
If their small babes dare touch a snake,
Or if the infant do but play
With serpents, laied in his way.
With plaguing of this wretched hoast)
A little tast of comfort giues
And them at last (though late) releeues.
A people in the world there be,
That are from serpents poyson free.
Marmarida that land is nam'd:
Psilli the people, that haue fram'd
Their tongues all venoms rage to dead,
As well as hearbs, that earth hath bred.
No poysons force can be enfusd
Into their blood, though no charms vsd.
The place (by nature) doth prouide,
That safe mongst serpents they recide.
It profits them to leade their life
In soyles, where serpents are so rife.
With them death seldome is at strife.
Their blood so poyson houlds in scorne,
That when a childe is newly borne,
They vse this meanes wherewith to trie
If it be free from Bastardie.
By prouing of the Aspicks byte,
To know where it be false or right.
And as Ioues Eagle scans the doubt
Of those warme egs the dam brings out
By taking his vnplumed race,
And them against the Sun doth place,
And those that can (with constant eye)
Behold the beames assuredly,
And will not twinckle at the light,
When Tytan shewes his face most bright,
As his owne breed those he affects:
But euery wincking squall reiects.
Such triall doth the Psiilli make
If their small babes dare touch a snake,
406
With serpents, laied in his way.
These people doe not onely care
How to preserue their own welfare:
But strangers likewise they intend,
And from those monsters them defend,
And to our souldiers helpe did lend.
One of the Psilli did accost
An Ensigne, of the Romane host,
And with our campe along he went,
And when the Chieftaine pitcht his Tent,
He all the host did circuite round,
Intrenched on this sandie ground.
That done his muttring charmes he spake,
And all without great fiers did make.
A medcine venoms force to slake.
In it the Dane-wort hissing heates:
And Galbana there frying sweates:
The Thamarix, of sullen plight:
And Costrum, that hearbe-Mary hight:
With Panacea, most of might:
Then the Thessalian Centorie:
And Maid-wort, that doth crackling frie:
Long-wort, and Larix therewithall,
And that, which Southernwood we call,
Whose smoake the serpents so distast;
And then an old Harts-horne at last,
So all the night they safely past.
For poysons, that do dayly hant
That people magicke wonders chant.
Great strugling strife these Psillans make,
When they would taken-venom slake.
For first of all the stinged ioint
With spittle they do round annoint,
Which doth the spreading venom draine,
And in the wound the same containe.
Then many charmes by them are sung,
Still muttring with a froathie tong.
And from their mumbling if they cease,
The venoms rage will then increase.
No minute may they hold their peace.
Thus often do they with these charmes,
Dissolue and quench those poysnous harms,
That in the marrow festring lies.
But if this course do not suffise,
But that the lingring poyson stay,
And to their charme will not obay;
Vpon the cure he flat doth fall,
And licks the pallid wound withall.
The venom with his mouth he drawes,
And soakes the artires with his iawes.
So from the chilly corps he fets
The deadly dram, and out it spets.
And hauing ouercome the might
Of this vile serpents mortall bite,
The Psilli by the tast do finde
The poysons force, and of what kinde.
And by this meanes the Romane troope
Are freed from that, which made them droop
And now about these dismall lands
They dare disperse their scattring bands.
Belphœbe twice was in the wane,
And twice her full light she had tane,
Whilst Cato wandring in this coast
Her nightly sheene had found and lost.
How to preserue their own welfare:
But strangers likewise they intend,
And from those monsters them defend,
And to our souldiers helpe did lend.
One of the Psilli did accost
An Ensigne, of the Romane host,
And with our campe along he went,
And when the Chieftaine pitcht his Tent,
He all the host did circuite round,
Intrenched on this sandie ground.
That done his muttring charmes he spake,
And all without great fiers did make.
A medcine venoms force to slake.
In it the Dane-wort hissing heates:
And Galbana there frying sweates:
The Thamarix, of sullen plight:
And Costrum, that hearbe-Mary hight:
With Panacea, most of might:
Then the Thessalian Centorie:
And Maid-wort, that doth crackling frie:
Long-wort, and Larix therewithall,
And that, which Southernwood we call,
Whose smoake the serpents so distast;
And then an old Harts-horne at last,
So all the night they safely past.
For poysons, that do dayly hant
That people magicke wonders chant.
Great strugling strife these Psillans make,
When they would taken-venom slake.
For first of all the stinged ioint
With spittle they do round annoint,
Which doth the spreading venom draine,
And in the wound the same containe.
Then many charmes by them are sung,
Still muttring with a froathie tong.
And from their mumbling if they cease,
The venoms rage will then increase.
407
Thus often do they with these charmes,
Dissolue and quench those poysnous harms,
That in the marrow festring lies.
But if this course do not suffise,
But that the lingring poyson stay,
And to their charme will not obay;
Vpon the cure he flat doth fall,
And licks the pallid wound withall.
The venom with his mouth he drawes,
And soakes the artires with his iawes.
So from the chilly corps he fets
The deadly dram, and out it spets.
And hauing ouercome the might
Of this vile serpents mortall bite,
The Psilli by the tast do finde
The poysons force, and of what kinde.
And by this meanes the Romane troope
Are freed from that, which made them droop
And now about these dismall lands
They dare disperse their scattring bands.
Belphœbe twice was in the wane,
And twice her full light she had tane,
Whilst Cato wandring in this coast
Her nightly sheene had found and lost.
Now more and more the mouldring sand
Grew firme, and chang'd to solid land,
And then a farre the souldier sees
The lofty woods and greene-leau'd trees,
And litle cotes with loame vp-patcht,
The roofs whereof with reeds were thatcht.
O what a comfort this poore hoast
Conceiu'd, to finde a better coast!
When first they one another show
Fierce Lions ranging to and fro.
Then vnto Leptis next they came,
Where they their winter stations frame.
A quiet place and fruitfull mould,
Neither opprest with heate nor cold,
Grew firme, and chang'd to solid land,
And then a farre the souldier sees
The lofty woods and greene-leau'd trees,
And litle cotes with loame vp-patcht,
The roofs whereof with reeds were thatcht.
O what a comfort this poore hoast
Conceiu'd, to finde a better coast!
When first they one another show
Fierce Lions ranging to and fro.
Then vnto Leptis next they came,
Where they their winter stations frame.
A quiet place and fruitfull mould,
Neither opprest with heate nor cold,
Cæsar now (hauing coold his ire
In Pharsale blood) doth thence retire.
And all the waight of his affaires
Against his son-inlaw-prepares,
And him pursues (although in vaine)
Whose troops were sperst on land & maine.
But Pompeys fame the seas had spred
Thither his army Cæsar led.
And goes vnto the straights of Thrace,
Whose waues Leanders loue did grace.
Where stands that fatall wailing towre
Of Hero, his deare Paramour.
That Hellespontus hath to name,
From Helle drowned in the same.
A shorter cut cannot be found
Twixt Europe, and the Asian ground.
Although the maine, that doth diuide
Bizantium, from Calcedons side,
Do run but with a narrow tide.
And so Propontis (that doth take
His current from the Euxine lake)
Doth but a slender channell make.
Here he the fame doth now explore,
That runs of this Sigæan shore.
And Simois, that noble fount;
And that braue Greeke of such account,
That buried lies in Rhætus mount.
And many other worthy sprites,
Oblig'd vnto the Poets writes.
He circuits then that worthy name
Of Troy, destroyd by Græcian flame.
And those old ruines he seeks out
Of Phoebus wals so large about.
But rotten trees and barren land
Now hides the place where they did stand.
And with their burthen do presse downe
The buildings of Assarac's towne,
And all their Temples so diuine
The spreading rootes do vndermine.
All Troy is thus with brambles cloyd,
Yea euen her ruins are destroyd.
Hesions rockes he likewise viewes,
And where Anchises erst did vse
(In woody shades) his sports to proue,
Coying that powerfull Queene of Loue:
And whereas Paris being iudge,
Did on him draw great Iuno's grudge:
And where that Boy was rapted vp,
That now for Ioue doth beare the cup;
And where the Troian youth did rest,
When he was Nymph Oenone's guest.
Each place is with some fame possest.
408
And all the waight of his affaires
Against his son-inlaw-prepares,
And him pursues (although in vaine)
Whose troops were sperst on land & maine.
But Pompeys fame the seas had spred
Thither his army Cæsar led.
And goes vnto the straights of Thrace,
Whose waues Leanders loue did grace.
Where stands that fatall wailing towre
Of Hero, his deare Paramour.
That Hellespontus hath to name,
From Helle drowned in the same.
A shorter cut cannot be found
Twixt Europe, and the Asian ground.
Although the maine, that doth diuide
Bizantium, from Calcedons side,
Do run but with a narrow tide.
And so Propontis (that doth take
His current from the Euxine lake)
Doth but a slender channell make.
Here he the fame doth now explore,
That runs of this Sigæan shore.
And Simois, that noble fount;
And that braue Greeke of such account,
That buried lies in Rhætus mount.
And many other worthy sprites,
Oblig'd vnto the Poets writes.
He circuits then that worthy name
Of Troy, destroyd by Græcian flame.
And those old ruines he seeks out
Of Phoebus wals so large about.
But rotten trees and barren land
Now hides the place where they did stand.
And with their burthen do presse downe
The buildings of Assarac's towne,
And all their Temples so diuine
The spreading rootes do vndermine.
All Troy is thus with brambles cloyd,
Yea euen her ruins are destroyd.
409
And where Anchises erst did vse
(In woody shades) his sports to proue,
Coying that powerfull Queene of Loue:
And whereas Paris being iudge,
Did on him draw great Iuno's grudge:
And where that Boy was rapted vp,
That now for Ioue doth beare the cup;
And where the Troian youth did rest,
When he was Nymph Oenone's guest.
Each place is with some fame possest.
Now vnawares doth Cæsar passe
That twining streame, that dryed was,
Which Zanthus he did call of yore,
And carelesse treades that grassie shore.
When as a Peasant of that Coast
Bids him not tread on Hectors ghost:
There all abrode lay scattred stones
Of that braue Tombe, that held his bones,
Whereof no forme did now remaine.
And then this Peasant said againe,
What dost thou Hectors Tombe disdaine?
O great and sacred Poëts toyle,
That dost preserue what death would foyle!
And to the world this boone dost giue,
That mortall men shall euer liue.
O Cæsar! doe not thou repine,
To see the power of fame diuine.
For if that we may promise ought
That may by Latium Muse be wrought;
As long as Smyrna's Poet lasts,
And on deserts due honours casts:
So long shall after ages fame
Record my verse, and read thy name.
And our Pharsalia shall subsist
In spite of darke obliuions mist.
That twining streame, that dryed was,
Which Zanthus he did call of yore,
And carelesse treades that grassie shore.
When as a Peasant of that Coast
Bids him not tread on Hectors ghost:
There all abrode lay scattred stones
Of that braue Tombe, that held his bones,
Whereof no forme did now remaine.
And then this Peasant said againe,
What dost thou Hectors Tombe disdaine?
O great and sacred Poëts toyle,
That dost preserue what death would foyle!
And to the world this boone dost giue,
That mortall men shall euer liue.
O Cæsar! doe not thou repine,
To see the power of fame diuine.
For if that we may promise ought
That may by Latium Muse be wrought;
As long as Smyrna's Poet lasts,
And on deserts due honours casts:
So long shall after ages fame
Record my verse, and read thy name.
And our Pharsalia shall subsist
In spite of darke obliuions mist.
VVhen Cæsar feasted had his eyes
VVith ruines that there heaped lies
Of reuerent monuments of fame,
There he of turfe in haste did frame
A sacred Altar, where did flame
The pretious gummes, that smoke did raise,
And not in vaine in this sort prayes.
Yee ghosts diuine, whose ashes cold
The Troian ruines do infold,
Whence my Æneas tooke his race,
That in Lauinia now hath place,
And in the Alban bower soiournes,
Where Phrygian fires still shining burnes:
And where that famous pledge doth lye
(Concealed still from mortall eye)
Of Troian Pallas which we haue
Shrin'd in a Temples secret caue.
Behold before your Altars here
A glorious Off-spring doth appeare,
Descended from the Iulian line,
Who offers vp his vowes diuine:
And yeelds your Rites in this selfe place,
That whilome you were wont to grace;
Grant my designes a happy fate,
I will againe restore your state:
And Italy, the walles of Troy
Shall gratefully raise vp with ioy.
So Roman Pergamus shall rise
With lofty Turrets to the skies.
Thus said, vnto his Fleet hee goes,
And all his sailes a faire winde blowes.
For he desir'd to make amends
For that time, which on Troy he spends.
Then mighty Asia's coasts he cleeres,
And past Rhodes foamy waues he steeres.
So as (within seuen nights at most)
He did arriue on Ægypts coast,
With such a friendly Easterne gale,
That they nor tacke aboord did hale,
Nor euer did a sheet let flye,
Till Pharos Lanthorne they espye.
And yet the day was new begunne,
And that night lampe dyn'd with the Sunne:
Before hee did approch the Port
Where flocking people did resort
With muttring dinne, and strange report.
And therefore now (for his behoofe)
Forbeares to land, and keepes aloofe;
Doubting (at first) himselfe to trust
With such a Nation, most vniust.
But now dire presents from that King,
The Captaine of his guard did bring,
And comes aboord the Roman fleet,
And on the seas doth Cæsar greet:
With him he carries Pompeys head,
With Pharian vaile all ouer-spred.
And first of all he laud affoords
To his foule fact, in these vile words.
VVith ruines that there heaped lies
Of reuerent monuments of fame,
There he of turfe in haste did frame
410
The pretious gummes, that smoke did raise,
And not in vaine in this sort prayes.
Yee ghosts diuine, whose ashes cold
The Troian ruines do infold,
Whence my Æneas tooke his race,
That in Lauinia now hath place,
And in the Alban bower soiournes,
Where Phrygian fires still shining burnes:
And where that famous pledge doth lye
(Concealed still from mortall eye)
Of Troian Pallas which we haue
Shrin'd in a Temples secret caue.
Behold before your Altars here
A glorious Off-spring doth appeare,
Descended from the Iulian line,
Who offers vp his vowes diuine:
And yeelds your Rites in this selfe place,
That whilome you were wont to grace;
Grant my designes a happy fate,
I will againe restore your state:
And Italy, the walles of Troy
Shall gratefully raise vp with ioy.
So Roman Pergamus shall rise
With lofty Turrets to the skies.
Thus said, vnto his Fleet hee goes,
And all his sailes a faire winde blowes.
For he desir'd to make amends
For that time, which on Troy he spends.
Then mighty Asia's coasts he cleeres,
And past Rhodes foamy waues he steeres.
So as (within seuen nights at most)
He did arriue on Ægypts coast,
With such a friendly Easterne gale,
That they nor tacke aboord did hale,
Nor euer did a sheet let flye,
Till Pharos Lanthorne they espye.
And yet the day was new begunne,
And that night lampe dyn'd with the Sunne:
Before hee did approch the Port
411
With muttring dinne, and strange report.
And therefore now (for his behoofe)
Forbeares to land, and keepes aloofe;
Doubting (at first) himselfe to trust
With such a Nation, most vniust.
But now dire presents from that King,
The Captaine of his guard did bring,
And comes aboord the Roman fleet,
And on the seas doth Cæsar greet:
With him he carries Pompeys head,
With Pharian vaile all ouer-spred.
And first of all he laud affoords
To his foule fact, in these vile words.
Great Conqueror of all the earth,
Chiefe ornament of Roman birth,
That which as yet thou dost not know
The Ægypt King doth here bestow
Security vpon thy state,
By cutting off great Pompeys date:
Whereby thy labours and thy warre
By land and sea, now ended are.
And that which only wanting was
At Pharsals field, is brought to passe.
The ciuill warre thou didst entend,
Is in thy absence brought to end.
The ruines of Pharsalias fight,
(That Pompey sought againe to right)
Is by our sword extinguisht quite.
Thy fauour, Cæsar, that we sought,
VVith this great tryall we haue bought.
And with this blood confirmd we haue
The league, that we of thee do craue.
Receiue this kingdome as thine owne,
For which thou hast no dangers knowne.
Receiue the right of all this Realme,
The fruitfull soyle of Nylus streame.
Receiue all that which thou wouldst giue
For Pompeys head, whilst he did liue:
And in thy Campe now let vs bee
As faithfull followers to thee;
Since by the Fates it was decreed,
That we should act so great a deeed.
And do not thinke this merit vile,
That we our hands should so defile
With slaughter of so deere a guest,
By whom this kingdome we possest:
When our Kings Father was put downe,
Pompey restor'd him to his Crowne.
What is there more for me to say?
What name can such a worke display?
Search all the world records that are,
They all come short of this by farre.
Thy debt is more, if this be blame,
That for thy sake did act the same:
From thee we taken haue the shame.
So said, the head he did display,
And from it takes the vaile away:
But deaths pale hue his lookes estranged,
The features of his face were changed.
Chiefe ornament of Roman birth,
That which as yet thou dost not know
The Ægypt King doth here bestow
Security vpon thy state,
By cutting off great Pompeys date:
Whereby thy labours and thy warre
By land and sea, now ended are.
And that which only wanting was
At Pharsals field, is brought to passe.
The ciuill warre thou didst entend,
Is in thy absence brought to end.
The ruines of Pharsalias fight,
(That Pompey sought againe to right)
Is by our sword extinguisht quite.
Thy fauour, Cæsar, that we sought,
VVith this great tryall we haue bought.
And with this blood confirmd we haue
The league, that we of thee do craue.
Receiue this kingdome as thine owne,
For which thou hast no dangers knowne.
Receiue the right of all this Realme,
The fruitfull soyle of Nylus streame.
Receiue all that which thou wouldst giue
For Pompeys head, whilst he did liue:
And in thy Campe now let vs bee
412
Since by the Fates it was decreed,
That we should act so great a deeed.
And do not thinke this merit vile,
That we our hands should so defile
With slaughter of so deere a guest,
By whom this kingdome we possest:
When our Kings Father was put downe,
Pompey restor'd him to his Crowne.
What is there more for me to say?
What name can such a worke display?
Search all the world records that are,
They all come short of this by farre.
Thy debt is more, if this be blame,
That for thy sake did act the same:
From thee we taken haue the shame.
So said, the head he did display,
And from it takes the vaile away:
But deaths pale hue his lookes estranged,
The features of his face were changed.
Cæsar at first did not despise
This gift, but turn'd aside his eyes;
And musing staid, the truth to sound
Of this foule fact, which when he found,
Twas fit he thought, that they all saw
He was a pious Father-in-law:
Wherewith he fained teares did shed,
And sighes for that, his comfort bred.
Hoping this way to be the best
To cloke those ioyes that in him rest,
And did the Tyrants fault detest.
And would the Treason rather blame,
Then seeme indebted for the same.
He that before with scorne did tread
Vpon the Senators laid dead:
And that with dryed eyes beheld
The slaughter of Pharsalias field;
Now dares not, Pompey, thee deny
A deepe-fetcht sigh, and weeping eye.
O cursed lot of dismall fate!
Hast thou pursu'd this dire debate,
(O Cæsar) and in that preuail'd,
That now deserues to be bewail'd?
The contracts of thy son-in-law,
To no compassion doth thee draw:
Nor yet thy daughter makes this mood,
Nor little Nephewes of their blood:
But thou dost hope thy teares will moue
The people (that did Pompey loue)
Thy Armes the rather to approue.
Or else perchance thou dost enuy
This traytor tyrants destiny:
That any hand such power hath showne
On Pompeys bowels, but thine owne:
And grieu'st such meanes to others left,
VVhereby reuenge from thee is reft:
And that the end of Pompeys bane
From the proud victors sword is tane.
But whatsoeuer humor twere
That made thee sigh, or shed a teare,
It did no pious meaning beare.
Didst thou (with such an eager vaine)
Expose thy force by land and maine?
And didst not meane withall, that hee
In any place should ruin'd be?
O well did death this act fulfill,
That left it not vnto thy will!
VVhat shame and blame hath heauy fate
Remoued from the Roman state?
That would not suffer Pompey liue,
That thou (wretch) sholdst him pardon giue?
And yet thou darst (with outward showes)
To blinde the world in that it knowes:
And fained sorrowes face dost frame,
To gaine to thee a loyall name.
This gift, but turn'd aside his eyes;
And musing staid, the truth to sound
Of this foule fact, which when he found,
Twas fit he thought, that they all saw
He was a pious Father-in-law:
Wherewith he fained teares did shed,
And sighes for that, his comfort bred.
Hoping this way to be the best
To cloke those ioyes that in him rest,
And did the Tyrants fault detest.
And would the Treason rather blame,
Then seeme indebted for the same.
He that before with scorne did tread
Vpon the Senators laid dead:
And that with dryed eyes beheld
The slaughter of Pharsalias field;
Now dares not, Pompey, thee deny
A deepe-fetcht sigh, and weeping eye.
O cursed lot of dismall fate!
413
(O Cæsar) and in that preuail'd,
That now deserues to be bewail'd?
The contracts of thy son-in-law,
To no compassion doth thee draw:
Nor yet thy daughter makes this mood,
Nor little Nephewes of their blood:
But thou dost hope thy teares will moue
The people (that did Pompey loue)
Thy Armes the rather to approue.
Or else perchance thou dost enuy
This traytor tyrants destiny:
That any hand such power hath showne
On Pompeys bowels, but thine owne:
And grieu'st such meanes to others left,
VVhereby reuenge from thee is reft:
And that the end of Pompeys bane
From the proud victors sword is tane.
But whatsoeuer humor twere
That made thee sigh, or shed a teare,
It did no pious meaning beare.
Didst thou (with such an eager vaine)
Expose thy force by land and maine?
And didst not meane withall, that hee
In any place should ruin'd be?
O well did death this act fulfill,
That left it not vnto thy will!
VVhat shame and blame hath heauy fate
Remoued from the Roman state?
That would not suffer Pompey liue,
That thou (wretch) sholdst him pardon giue?
And yet thou darst (with outward showes)
To blinde the world in that it knowes:
And fained sorrowes face dost frame,
To gaine to thee a loyall name.
Souldier, that vnto me do'st bring
This direfull present from thy King,
Depart my sight, beare it away:
For thou dost Cæsar more betray,
And worse of him it merited,
Then of great Pompey murthered.
For this proud fact doth vs bebarre
The greatest glory of our warre;
Which is, that mercy might be showne
By vs, vnto our vanquish't fone.
And did not this vile tyrant hate
His sister, partner of his state?
I quickly could thy King requite
VVith equall scorne, and like despight.
And, Cleopatra, send thy head
Vnto thy brother for blood-shed.
VVhat mou'd him thus with secret might
So to entrude his swords despight
In actions, longing to our right?
Haue we to this end conquest sought
At the Pharsalian battaile fought;
That we should lawlesse power affoord
(In this kinde) vnto Ægypts sword?
Must we our state and safety gaine
By fauours, that your kingdomes daine?
Shall I (that would not brooke for Mate
Great Pompey, in the Roman state)
Endure thee, Ptolemey, my Peere?
Then, what are we a whit the neere,
So many Nations to haue led
Vnder our Roman Ensignes spred,
If in this world there should be knowne
Any, but Cæsars power alone?
Or if the earth could parted bee
Twixt any other man and mee?
VVe should now turne our Latium Ores
Aloofe from these Ægyptian shores;
But that our honours are denayd:
For then perhaps it would be said,
That we for feare did Pharus shunne,
And not as loathing this deed done.
But do not you perswade your minde,
That you the victors eyes can blinde;
But that he knowes (had heauens hest
So driuen him to be your guest)
He should haue tasted the like feast.
And that my head is not so vsd,
Pharsalia's fortune hath excusd.
I see that we haue waged warre
More perilous to vs by farre,
Then euer yet our minde did feare:
To banishment we subiect were.
Then Pompey vs pursu'd with hate,
And threatnings from the Roman state:
So as if we had been distrest,
Then Ptolemey had vs opprest.
But with his youth we do dispence;
And pardon him for his offence.
But to the Pharian King make knowne,
A greater grace cannot be showne.
See therefore you entombe the head
Of such a worthy Captaine dead.
But fashion not his funerall
As though his acts were criminall,
Deseruing to be hid from sight:
But Incense giue him flaming bright.
Of his wrong'd ghost appease the mones,
And gather vp his burned bones,
That on your shores lye all defac't,
And in an vrne let them be plac't.
So let him thereby vnderstand
His father-in-law came to this land:
And let his soule heare, therewithall,
My feeling sorrow for his fall.
Although before our vowed loue
He did all other things approue:
And rather chose his Pharian ward,
Then our due grace his life to guard.
Whereby the people reaued beene
That happy day, they might haue seene.
And that same concord was supprest,
That had restor'd the world to rest.
But so the heauens did now ordaine
That my desires should be but vaine;
Who meaning heare to lay aside
Those conquering Armes, that I haue try'd
VVith friendly hands, and enterview,
VVe might our ancient leagues renew;
And (free from grudge and ciuill strife)
In those true tearmes haue wisht thy life.
Thinking my paines at full rewarded,
To be thy equall peere regarded
Then had I (with this loyall peace)
Brought it to passe that thou shouldst cease
To blame the Gods for warres disgrace,
And thou haue made Rome me embrace.
But all these words no passion bred
Amongst his mates, nor one teare shed:
Neither did they at all beleeue,
That he spake as his minde did giue.
All sighes and sorrowes they supprest,
Their faces shewd ioy in their breast.
O pretious liberty, the while
That they with merry lookes durst smile,
VVhen Cæsars selfe did waile and rue
That bloody spectacle to view!
This direfull present from thy King,
Depart my sight, beare it away:
For thou dost Cæsar more betray,
And worse of him it merited,
414
For this proud fact doth vs bebarre
The greatest glory of our warre;
Which is, that mercy might be showne
By vs, vnto our vanquish't fone.
And did not this vile tyrant hate
His sister, partner of his state?
I quickly could thy King requite
VVith equall scorne, and like despight.
And, Cleopatra, send thy head
Vnto thy brother for blood-shed.
VVhat mou'd him thus with secret might
So to entrude his swords despight
In actions, longing to our right?
Haue we to this end conquest sought
At the Pharsalian battaile fought;
That we should lawlesse power affoord
(In this kinde) vnto Ægypts sword?
Must we our state and safety gaine
By fauours, that your kingdomes daine?
Shall I (that would not brooke for Mate
Great Pompey, in the Roman state)
Endure thee, Ptolemey, my Peere?
Then, what are we a whit the neere,
So many Nations to haue led
Vnder our Roman Ensignes spred,
If in this world there should be knowne
Any, but Cæsars power alone?
Or if the earth could parted bee
Twixt any other man and mee?
VVe should now turne our Latium Ores
Aloofe from these Ægyptian shores;
But that our honours are denayd:
For then perhaps it would be said,
That we for feare did Pharus shunne,
And not as loathing this deed done.
But do not you perswade your minde,
That you the victors eyes can blinde;
But that he knowes (had heauens hest
So driuen him to be your guest)
415
And that my head is not so vsd,
Pharsalia's fortune hath excusd.
I see that we haue waged warre
More perilous to vs by farre,
Then euer yet our minde did feare:
To banishment we subiect were.
Then Pompey vs pursu'd with hate,
And threatnings from the Roman state:
So as if we had been distrest,
Then Ptolemey had vs opprest.
But with his youth we do dispence;
And pardon him for his offence.
But to the Pharian King make knowne,
A greater grace cannot be showne.
See therefore you entombe the head
Of such a worthy Captaine dead.
But fashion not his funerall
As though his acts were criminall,
Deseruing to be hid from sight:
But Incense giue him flaming bright.
Of his wrong'd ghost appease the mones,
And gather vp his burned bones,
That on your shores lye all defac't,
And in an vrne let them be plac't.
So let him thereby vnderstand
His father-in-law came to this land:
And let his soule heare, therewithall,
My feeling sorrow for his fall.
Although before our vowed loue
He did all other things approue:
And rather chose his Pharian ward,
Then our due grace his life to guard.
Whereby the people reaued beene
That happy day, they might haue seene.
And that same concord was supprest,
That had restor'd the world to rest.
But so the heauens did now ordaine
That my desires should be but vaine;
Who meaning heare to lay aside
416
VVith friendly hands, and enterview,
VVe might our ancient leagues renew;
And (free from grudge and ciuill strife)
In those true tearmes haue wisht thy life.
Thinking my paines at full rewarded,
To be thy equall peere regarded
Then had I (with this loyall peace)
Brought it to passe that thou shouldst cease
To blame the Gods for warres disgrace,
And thou haue made Rome me embrace.
But all these words no passion bred
Amongst his mates, nor one teare shed:
Neither did they at all beleeue,
That he spake as his minde did giue.
All sighes and sorrowes they supprest,
Their faces shewd ioy in their breast.
O pretious liberty, the while
That they with merry lookes durst smile,
VVhen Cæsars selfe did waile and rue
That bloody spectacle to view!
Finis libri noni.
| Lvcans Pharsalia | |